SPEROW

Trabeculectomy

Trabeculectomy is a specialized glaucoma filtration surgery designed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by creating a controlled drainage pathway (filtering bleb) from the anterior chamber into the subconjunctival space. It is considered the gold-standard surgical intervention when target eye pressure cannot be safely achieved or maintained with topical medications or laser therapy, or when advancing optic nerve damage requires substantial pressure reduction. The primary goal of surgery is to stabilize intraocular pressure and halt progressive vision loss; it cannot restore vision already lost to optic nerve damage.

  • Surgery Name

    Trabeculectomy

  • Speciality

    Ophthalmology (Glaucoma Surgery)

  • Duration

    Usually 45–60 minutes

  • Anaesthesia

    Local/regional anaesthesia (peribulbar/retrobulbar/sub-Tenon) with sedation

  • Hospital Stay

    Day-care procedure (same-day discharge)

  • Recovery Time

    Initial healing in 2–6 weeks; pressure stabilization over 2–3 months

  • Procedure Type

    Filtering glaucoma surgery (guarded sclerostomy with filtering bleb)

  • Insurance Coverage

    Usually covered when medically indicated

  • Cost Range in India

    Varies based on hospital tier, surgeon expertise, and combined procedures

  • Success Rate

    70–85% long-term pressure control; slows visual field progression

Free

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Symptoms and Signs of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is often termed the 'silent thief of sight' because chronic forms typically produce no early pain or warning symptoms. Surgical decisions are based on clinical markers including intraocular pressure, optic disc cupping, retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thinning on OCT, and progressive visual field loss. Common symptoms across glaucoma types include:

  • Asymptomatic Early Stages: Most patients with primary open-angle glaucoma experience no pain, redness, or noticeable visual changes in early to moderate stages.
  • Gradual Peripheral Vision Loss: Progressive development of blind spots (scotomas) or 'tunnel vision' as peripheral visual fields contract.
  • Acute Symptoms in Angle Closure: Sudden severe eye pain, ipsilateral headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and rainbow-coloured halos around lights requiring emergency care.
  • Irreversible Visual Field Deficits: Any loss of vision caused by optic nerve damage is permanent and cannot be restored.