Glaucoma is an eye disease affecting 3 million Americans. Thankfully there are several treatment options available depending on the severity of your condition. The most common treatments are drops, selective laser trabeculoplasty surgery (SLT) ,or conventional trabeculoplasty surgery.

Recovering from Glaucoma Surgery

During your eye appointment at Vision Quest Medical Center, your doctor will determine if the disease has advanced enough to require surgery, and if so, what type. Doctors generally recommend SLT over conventional surgery since it is more effective, safer, and quicker. However, conventional surgery methods may be required if the intraocular pressure (the pressure in the eye) is to high, or if the optic nerve is badly damage. The SLT operation is very quick and generally takes no more than 5 minutes to complete. Conventional surgery is much more intrusive, and takes closer to 45 minutes. The speed of recovery also varies depending on the surgery type.

The results of laser surgery can be seen within the first few days, providing relief to glaucoma symptoms. With conventional surgery it may take a month or two before you start to see results. It is important to note that laser and conventional trabeculoplasty act to lower the pressure in the eye, but cannot cure glaucoma itself. After a few years you may need to repeat the surgery to keep the glaucoma under control.

In the first few days after either type of surgery, you may experience some redness or irritation in the eye. It’s recommended you avoid strenuous physical activity for a few weeks following the surgery and have regular check ups to monitor your eye’s recovery. Make sure to keep your face clean and avoid bending over. In some scenarios, doctors will also prescribe antibiotics or steroid eye drops in the weeks following your surgery.

If you experience a sudden loss in vision at any time, pus draining from the eye, or extreme pain call your eye doctor immediately as these could be signs of serious complications. It’s normal to experience some redness in the eye for the first few days after surgery, but if it continues contact your doctor as this may be a sign of inflammation.

6 to 8 weeks after surgery you will have a check up to measure the quality of your vision. Your doctor will assess the improvement to your vision and determine if you need corrective lenses or contacts. At this point we can determine the success of the operation. In the vast majority of cases, the operation is effective in lowering pressure and improving the symptoms of Glaucoma. It is important to note that laser and conventional trabeculoplasty act to lower the pressure in the eye, but cannot cure glaucoma itself. After a few years you may need to repeat the surgery to keep the glaucoma under control.