Trabeculectomy is the long-established 'gold standard' operation for glaucoma. It may be recommended if your glaucoma continues to progress despite using eye drops and/or laser treatment. The goal is to help lower and control your eye pressure, preventing or slowing further visual loss.
The operation creates an alternative drainage channel in the white of the eye (sclera) to allow natural fluid (aqueous) to drain into a small reservoir called a bleb underneath the upper eyelid. This new pathway bypasses the blocked natural drain (trabecular meshwork). It will not improve vision or cure glaucoma, but aims to protect the sight you still have.
Trabeculectomy is usually performed under local or general anaesthetic and takes about 45 minutes on average, though you will be at the hospital for 2 to 3 hours. After the operation the eye is covered with a protective pad, and careful follow-up is needed in the first weeks to fine-tune healing and pressure.