Some glaucoma surgery is done in an operating room. It creates a new drainage channel for the aqueous humor to leave the eye.

• Trabeculectomy. This is where your eye surgeon creates a tiny flap in the sclera. He or she will also create a bubble (like a pocket) in the conjunctiva called a filtration bleb. It is usually hidden under the upper eyelid and cannot be seen. Aqueous humor will be able to drain out of the eye through the flap and into the bleb. In the bleb, the fluid is absorbed by tissue around your eye, lowering eye pressure.

In trabeculectomy, a flap is first created in the sclera (the white part of the eye). Then a small opening is made into the eye to release fluid from the eye.

Glaucoma drainage devices. Your ophthalmologist may implant a tiny drainage tube in your eye. The glaucoma drainage implant sends the fluid to a collection area (called a reservoir). Your eye surgeon creates this reservoir beneath the conjunctiva. The fluid is then absorbed into nearby blood vessels.
Cataract surgery. In some cases, removing the eye’s natural lens can lower eye pressure. This is most commonly done for people with narrow angles who have high eye pressure, signs of glaucoma, or both. With narrow angles, the iris and the cornea are too close together. If the angle is so narrow that the iris touches the cornea, it will also cover (block) the eye’s drainage channel. Cataract surgery creates more space between the iris and cornea so that more fluid leaves the eye. This can lower eye pressure.
Your role in glaucoma treatment

Treating glaucoma successfully is a team effort between you and your doctor. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe your glaucoma treatment. It is up to you to follow your doctor’s instructions and use your eye drops.

Once you are taking medications for glaucoma, your ophthalmologist will want to see you regularly. You can expect to visit your ophthalmologist about every 3–6 months. However, this can vary depending on your treatment needs.

If you have any questions about your eyes or your treatment, talk to your ophthalmologist.