Surgery Overview
During trabeculectomy—sometimes also called
filtration surgery—a piece of tissue in the
of the eye is removed, creating an
opening. The opening is partially covered with a flap of tissue from the
sclera, the white part of the eye, and the conjunctiva, the clear thin covering
over the sclera. This new opening allows fluid (aqueous humor) to
drain out of the eye, bypassing the clogged drainage channels of the
.
As the fluid flows
through the new drainage opening, the tissue over the opening rises to form a
little blister or bubble, called a bleb. The bleb is located where the sclera,
or white of the eye, joins the iris, the colored part of the eye. During office
visits after surgery, the doctor looks at the bleb to make sure that fluid is
still draining out of the new opening. Not all blebs have to be easily seen to
work.
What To Expect After Surgery
The person does not have to be
admitted to the hospital. But children may stay in the hospital overnight
following surgery. And in some cases, your doctor may recommend that you stay
in the hospital.
Right after surgery, antibiotics may be
applied to the eye. Also, antibiotics may be injected under the lining of the
eyelid (conjunctiva). After surgery, the eyelid is usually taped shut, and a
hard covering (eye shield) is placed over the eye.
The person
wears a dressing over the eye during the first night after surgery and wears
the eye shield at bedtime for up to a month. Corticosteroids are usually
applied to the eye for about 1 to 2 months after surgery to decrease
inflammation in the eye.
People who have a trabeculectomy without
being admitted to the hospital usually have a checkup the following day with
their eye specialist.
Any activity that might jar the eye needs to
be avoided after surgery. People usually need to avoid bending, lifting, or
straining for several weeks after surgery.
After surgery, people
who have problems with constipation may need to take laxatives to avoid
straining while trying to pass stools. Straining can raise the pressure inside
the eye, increasing the risk of damage to the optic nerve or bleeding.
Usually there is mild discomfort after a trabeculectomy. Severe pain may
be a sign of complications. If you have severe pain after a trabeculectomy,
call your doctor immediately.