Is it normal to get a “scratchy” feeling after surgery?
Occasionally the superficial sutures may be the cause of this. They are easily removed in the clinic during a follow-up visit.
Will it be painful during or after the operation?
During surgery your eye will be numb, so you should not experience any pain. After surgery there might be some discomfort which should settle with the drops you will be asked to put in your eyes.
How long does trabeculectomy take?
It usually takes approximately one hour, or a bit longer if it is performed under general anaesthesia.
What is the success rate?
This varies according to the complexity of the case. I create a for plan surgery and post operative follow for every patient individually.
What are the possible complications of trabeculectomy surgery?
The risks of trabeculectomy include infection, bleeding in the eye, reduced or loss of vision, low eye pressure, failure due to scarring, precipitation of cataract, droopy eyelid. During the preoperative consultation we will discuss in detail all the benefits and risks of the procedure, including all alternative options, so you can make an informed decision.
Are there any alternatives?
Alternatives include the standard glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy), but this carries more risk than the iStent procedure.
What are the risks of not having the procedure?
If the eye pressure remains elevated despite medical therapy then there is a risk that your vision will deteriorate.
What are the risks of iStent?
In general, the iStent implantation does not increase the risk of a cataract operation. There is a small risk of the eye becoming inflamed and developing an infection, so you will be given anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops to use after the operation to prevent this. A very small amount of bleeding inside the eye might occur during the operation but this resolves within
Will the iStent improve my vision ?
Unfortunately not. Neither will it bring back any lost vision.
Will the iStent cure my glaucoma?
No, the Istent will not cure your glaucoma. However, it may prevent your glaucoma from getting worse by lowering your eye pressure. The iStent can also reduce your use of eye drops for glaucoma.