When medication and less invasive treatments aren't effectively controlling your eye pressure, Mr. Panos may recommend one of these more traditional glaucoma surgeries. These procedures are designed to create new drainage pathways for fluid to leave your eye, helping to lower eye pressure and preserve your vision.
Trabeculectomy has been the "gold standard" glaucoma surgery for many decades. It creates a new drainage channel that allows fluid to flow from inside your eye to a small, controlled reservoir (called a "bleb") under the thin membrane covering the white of your eye.
Think of trabeculectomy as creating a new "drain" for your eye when the natural one is clogged. The procedure involves:
A tube shunt, such as the Paul, Baerveldt, or Ahmed tube, is a small device implanted in your eye to create a new drainage pathway. It consists of a tiny tube connected to a plate. The tube is placed into the front chamber of your eye, and the plate is positioned under the thin membrane covering the white of your eye.
Your eye will be patched and protected with a shield. You\'ll go home the same day. You may feel mild discomfort.
Think of a tube shunt as a tiny pipeline system that redirects fluid from inside your eye to an area where it can be absorbed by your body. The procedure involves:
Mr. Panos will recommend the most appropriate surgery based on your specific type of glaucoma, how advanced it is, your previous treatments, and other factors. Here's a comparison to help you understand the differences:
| Feature | Trabeculectomy | Tube Shunt (Paul, Baerveldt, and Ahmed) | Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness for lowering pressure | Very effective | Very effective | Moderately effective |
| Recovery time | 4-6 weeks | 6-8 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Risk of complications | Higher | Moderate | Lower |
| Best for | Most types of glaucoma | Failed previous surgery or specific types of glaucoma | Early to moderate glaucoma |
| Need for follow-up adjustments | May need several | Fewer than trabeculectomy | Minimal |
As with any surgery, traditional glaucoma surgeries carry some risk of complications. Mr. Panos will discuss these with you before the procedure. Possible complications include:
It's important to remember that the risk of untreated glaucoma—permanent vision loss—usually outweighs these potential surgical risks when surgery is recommended.
Traditional glaucoma surgery may be recommended if:
Mr. Chris Panos is highly experienced in performing all types of glaucoma surgery, including trabeculectomy and tube shunts. He will help determine the best approach for your specific situation. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact:
Secretary: Jackie Hugget
Phone: 01372 502 503
Email: chrispanossecretary@gmail.com