The eye contains a clear fluid, or gel, called aqueous humor, which provides nourishment for the cornea and lens, and keeps the eyeball round and firm. This fluid is constantly being produced by the ciliary body and drained through the trabecular meshwork. In cases of glaucoma the fluid is unable to drain fast enough to maintain a constant pressure in the eye and the resulting rise in pressure can lead to optic nerve damage and loss of vision. The loss of vision from glaucoma is irreversible but the remaining vision can be saved in most cases.
Glaucoma can usually be controlled by medications but in some difficult cases surgical intervention may be indicated. There are several types of glaucoma surgery and they all achieve the same goal to form a way for the fluid to drain faster from the eye. The following is a list of some of the surgical procedures available for glaucoma:
Laser Peripheral Iridectomy - This laser procedure opens a hole in the iris so the fluid can drain more easily from the area where it is produced to the drainage area .
Laser Trabeculoplasty - This laser procedure causes the drainage area to open more which allows the fluid to drain from the eye faster.
Surgical Trabeculectomy - This surgical procedure forms a shunt (artificial drain) ,using the patients own tissue, which gives the fluid another way to exit the eye.
Malteno Valve Placement (this is an artificial shunt or drain) - There are several different types of shunts available This surgical procedure utilizes a manmade shunt , usually made of plastic , to form an artificial drain thus giving the fluid another way to exit the eye.
