• Home
  • FAQ
  • Private Practice Fees
  • Testimonials
  • Links
  • Glossary
  • 07503751349 | 01271 349128
  • karlwhittaker@devoneyesurgeon.co.uk
  • Cataract
    • Understanding Cataracts
    • Symptoms
    • Pre-operative Assessment
    • Choice Of Lens
    • Cataract Surgery
    • After The Operation
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Glaucoma
    • Understanding Glaucoma
    • Types of Glaucoma
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment >
      • Medical
      • Laser Treatment
      • Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
      • Glaucoma Surgery
  • Eyelid Surgery
    • Eyelid Cysts / Styes >
      • Introduction
      • Treatment
    • Watery Eye Surgery >
      • Introduction to Watery Eye
      • Causes
      • Treatment
    • Droopy Eyelid (Ptosis) >
      • Introduction
      • Treatment
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Entropion Repair >
      • Introduction
      • Treatment
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Ectropion Repair >
      • Introduction
      • Treatment
      • Post-operative Care
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Eyelid Tumor Removal >
      • Introduction
      • Tumor Types
      • Treatment
      • Post-operative Care
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Cosmetic Treatments
    • Non-Surgical >
      • Botox >
        • What is Botox?
        • Procedure Overview
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Cosmetic Fillers >
        • What is a Cosmetic Filler?
        • Procedure
        • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Surgical >
      • Upper Lid Blepharoplasty >
        • Introduction
        • Initial Consulation
        • Procedure Overview
        • After The Surgery
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Lower Lid Blepharoplasty >
        • Introduction
        • Initial Consultation
        • Procedure Overview
        • After The Surgery
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Four-Lid Blepharoplasty
      • Eyelid / Facial Lumps, Bumps & Skin Tags >
        • Introduction
        • Treatment
  • Refractive Surgery
    • Understanding My vision
    • Refractive Lens Exchange
    • PRELEX >
      • What is PRELEX?
      • What Are The Outcomes Of PRELEX Surgery?
      • Am I a Suitable Candidate?
  • Eye Conditions
    • Blepharospasm >
      • Introduction
      • Treatment
    • Blepharitis >
      • Understanding Blepharitis
      • Treatment
    • Diabetic Retinopathy >
      • Introduction
      • Treatment
    • Dry Eyes >
      • Understanding Dry Eyes
      • Causes Of Dry Eyes
      • Dry Eyes Assessment
      • Dry Eyes Treatment
    • Floaters >
      • Understanding Floaters
      • Treatment
    • Macula Degeneration >
      • Introduction
      • Treatment

Glaucoma Surgery

Trabeculectomy

'Trabeculectomy is the most commonly performed operation for glaucoma. Lowering of pressure inside the eye is achieved by making a small hole in the eye underneath a thin trap-door of sclera (white of the eye).

drainage-bleb-diagramgla-diagram

Draining the aqueous humour reduces the pressure on the optic nerve, preventing or delaying further loss of vision.

It is important to note that control of the eye pressure with a trabeculectomy operation will not restore vision already lost from glaucoma.

  • What does the surgery involve?
  • How will my eye appear after surgery?
  • What happens after surgery?
  • How will I feel after surgery?
  • The operation typically takes 30 – 45 minutes and may be performed under either local or general anaesthesia, depending on the complexity of the case and other factors.

    Adjunctive Mitomycin C is nearly always also used to prevent excessive healing after surgery, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.

    Mitomycin C is a liquid agent that is applied to the surface of the eye for a brief period of time (typically up to 3 minutes) in order to reduce scarring. At the end of the application, it is washed away from the eye so that no residual drug remains at the end of the operation.

  • bleb

    Initially after surgery, the eye will be red, and the upper lid may be swollen and a little droopy. This will return to normal slowly over a period of weeks to months.

    The drainage bleb is not usually visible to the naked eye after the trabeculectomy operation but may sometimes be seen if the patient looks in the mirror and raises the upper eyelid.

    It is uncommon for patients to feel any sensation from the presence of the drainage bleb.

  • You will be discharged home from hospital later the same day after surgery, or the following day. It is necessary for the operated eye to be examined one day after surgery. The eye will have a patch on after the operation, which is removed the following day.

  • It is normal for the vision to be blurred and the eye to be a little uncomfortable after surgery. Blurring of vision will be variable in severity and lasts for approximately 4-6 weeks. It takes about 2 months for the eye to feel completely normal and the vision to stabilise.

Success Rates

Long-term studies suggest that most people will achieve a low eye pressure without the need for additional glaucoma medication after trabeculectomy surgery.

In clinical trials, trabeculectomy has proven consistently more successful at lowering intraocular pressure than either medication or laser.

The success rate of trabeculectomy varies according to a number of risk factors including the type of glaucoma, previous surgery, race, age and other conditions. In low risk patients, the success rate is over 90%.

A small percentage of patients will require further surgery for uncontrolled pressure.

Uncommonly, a patient will develop a pressure that is chronically too low, requiring further surgery to elevate the pressure.

Complications

Severe complications are rare, but may happen either if the eye pressure drops very low, or very quickly during the early post-operative period, or if the eye becomes infected.

If such complication does occur, further surgical intervention may be necessary and very occasionally, permanent loss of vision can result.

Glaucoma Links

  • Understanding Glaucoma
  • Types of Glaucoma
  • Glaucoma Diagnosis
  • Glaucoma Treatment
    • Medical
    • Laser Treatment
    • Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
    • Glaucoma Surgery

About Mr. Karl Whittaker

I graduated from Birmingham University in 1992, and have been an Eye Specialist for almost 20 years.

Following my Ophthalmology Specialist Training, I completed two Fellowships (advanced training) in glaucoma, working with the world-renowned Professor Anthony Molteno in New Zealand and Professor Peter Shah in Birmingham. Thereafter, I undertook a Fellowship in oculoplastic/lacrimal surgery, again in Birmingham. As a result, I am dual-qualified, which allows me to perform a wide range of ophthalmic procedures.

I have been a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the North Devon Healthcare NHS Trust since 2003. In this role, I perform high volume cataract surgery and am the Clinical Lead for the Glaucoma and Oculoplastic/Lacrimal Surgery services.

Practice Location

  • Ophthalmology Department
  • Level 1
  • North Devon District Hospital
  • Barnstaple
  • EX31 4JB

Tel: 07503751349 | 01271 349128
Email: karlwhittaker@devoneyesurgeon.co.uk

Contact Form

Your Name (required):

Your Email (required):

Your Message (include phone number):

Copyright 2015 Dr. Karl Whittaker | All Rights Reserved.