Trabeculotomy

Trabeculectomy is generally recommended for patients with glaucoma that continues to progress despite use of medications and/or laser treatments. A trabeculectomy creates a new drainage site to facilitate drainage of fluid FROM the eye. Instead of draining INTO the normal drainage site of the eye (the trabecular meshwork), the fluid is drained INTO a new space (a “bleb”) that is completely covered by the white outer covering (the conjunctiva) of the eye. This will lower the eye pressure. Since the surgery is usually performed near the top of the eye, the area of surgery usually cannot be seen afterwards because it is behind the upper eyelid.