For the most part, conventional surgery is an option to be explored after other treatment strategies have failed. It is important to discuss all your treatment options, especially in relation to your other health issues, carefully with an ophthalmologist.

Conventional surgery involves actually cutting into the sclera, the white part of the eye. The surgeon will remove a tiny piece of the eye’s trabecular meshwork. This procedure, called a trabeculectomy, creates a new pathway for the fluid. The advantage of a trabeculectomy is that most patients are able to discontinue all antiglaucoma medications after surgery. Some patients may develop cataracts after having a trabeculectomy. There is also the potential for scarring, infection, or other complications.

For patients who have not responded to trabeculectomy or are not candidates for this procedure, an aqueous shunt procedure may be performed. A tiny tube is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye (the region of the eye between the cornea and the lens), which facilitates the drainage of fluid.

A thoughtful evaluation must be performed by a physician before taking any medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or herbs. The American Health Assistance Foundation does not endorse any of these medications, vitamins, or herbs. A qualified physician should make an informed decision based on each person's medical history and current prescriptions. The medication summaries provided do not include all of the information important for patient use and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.  The prescribing physician should be consulted concerning any questions that you have.

The information provided in this section of our website was obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Eye institute (NEI), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Library of Medicine, and research scientists specializing in glaucoma.

Reviewed on 2/14/2008