Trabeculectomy

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Trabeculectomy is a surgical procedure used in the treatment of glaucoma to relieve intraocular pressure by removing part of the eye's trabeculum. It is the most common conventional surgery performed for glaucoma. A partial thickness flap is made in the scleral wall of the eye, and a window opening made under the flap to remove a portion of the trabecular meshwork. The scleral flap is then sutured loosely back in place. This allows fluid to flow out of the eye through this opening, resulting in lowered intraocular pressure. Scarring can occur around or over the flap opening, causing it to become less effective or lose effectiveness altogether.

Filtering trepanotrabeculectomy (TTE) is a modification of the operation after J. Fronimopoulos. A triangular scleral flap is created which is approximately one-half as thick as the sclera. Trepanation is performed with a 2 mm trephine. The scleral edge of the trepanation opening is heat-cauterized.^[1]

[edit] See also

• Eye surgery

[edit] External links

• Surgery Encyclopedia: Trabeculectomy

[edit] References