The success of trabeculectomy in an eye with prior surgery -
either prior cataract or glaucoma surgery - is much lower than in a
patient without prior eye surgery. Frequently, the success of such
complicated surgery may be less than 50%. Failure is due to
postoperative scarring.
Antimetabolite medications
prevent postoperative scarring. They have been shown to essential
towards improving the success of glaucoma surgery in these complicated
eyes. They require special care to avoid their increased risks of
surgery. Antimetabolites are used topically during surgery or given as
postoperative injections, at the discretion of the surgeon. With these
medications, surgical success can be increased to almost 75-80%.
The
Glaucoma Center specializes in the use of these potent medications and
the special needs for this procedure. All surgery is performed through
the Ambulatory Surgery Unit at University Hospital under local
anesthesia. The procedure using lasts for one hour. Postoperative
restrictions are similar to those for trabeculectomy.
More patients have this procedure done at the Glaucoma Center than at any other site in Suffolk County.
