Trabeculectomy

Abstract

Treatments for glaucoma may be focused on decreasing formation of aqueous or increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye (as in the case of glaucoma filtration surgery). Trabeculectomy is a filtration surgery where an opening is created in the anterior chamber to allow for aqueous flow out of the eye through a partial-thickness scleral flap. The aqueous then flows into the subconjunctival space, creating a filtering bleb. The aqueous may then be filtered through the conjunctiva into the tear film, be absorbed by vascular/perivascular conjunctival tissues, flow through lymphatic vessels, and/or drain through the aqueous veins. Often, antifibrotic medications, such as mitomycin C or 5-fluorouracil, may be employed to prevent excessive scarring of the filtration bleb and allow for more efficacious lowering of IOP.