Trabeculectomy near Chicago, IL

A trabeculectomy is a common surgery performed to treat glaucoma by making a tiny incision in the eye, essentially creating a new channel for fluid to drain out of the eye. This helps lower intraocular pressure to slow or prevent the progressive vision loss that occurs in patients with glaucoma (both open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma). Advances to traditional trabeculectomy surgery such as the Express mini-shunt, and the Xen gel stent, help Tyler Kirk, MD deliver you a safer and more successful outcome with the trabeculectomy procedure. The specialists at Kirk Eye Center are highly trained and experienced in successfully performing trabeculectomy to help patients preserve their vision and quality of life with glaucoma. To find out more about trabeculectomy and see if you are a candidate for this cutting-edge procedure, please contact one of our office locations in River Forest or Gurnee, IL for a consultation.

When you visit one of our Chicago area facilities for your consultation, you will meet with one of our skilled ophthalmologists. We will perform a comprehensive eye examination, as well as review your type of glaucoma, health history lifestyle, and any treatment methods you have previously tried. All of this will be taken into account when determining if you are a good candidate for trabeculectomy. This surgery is generally considered for patients who have already attempted other glaucoma treatment methods, such as eye drops or nonsurgical procedures. However, in more severe cases, it may be used as the first line of defense.

Trabeculectomy is an outpatient procedure done under local anesthesia, and you can go home the same day. Your ophthalmologist will perform the surgery by creating a tiny incision in the sclera (white part of your eye), which is then covered in part with a flap of eye tissue to create a small pocket (filtration bleb) to allow for the drainage of fluid. The bleb is hidden under your eyelid so no one will be able to see it after surgery. Antibiotics may also be applied under the lining of your eye to prevent any infection from developing. 

Our doctors typically advise that you come in for a follow-up appointment the day after the procedure so we can monitor your healing progress. We may also prescribe corticosteroid medication, which should be used for about two months to help reduce eye inflammation. In addition, be sure to avoid straining activities and vigorous exercise for the next few weeks.

Tube shunt is a surgery that drains fluid from the eye to an external reservoir when the natural drainage system no longer functions properly.

About Tube Shunt

Tube shunt is a commonly performed surgery for uncontrolled sight threatening glaucoma often from secondary causes (Diabetes, neovascularization, inflammation, trauma) or in patients prone to scarring who are poor candidates for trabeculectomy surgery. Tube shunts can have a valve to control outflow. Tube shunt helps to control eye pressure so to prevent progressive vision loss from glaucoma or to control pain from extremely elevated eye pressure. Tube shunt can be helpful for patients with severe open or closed angle glaucoma. To find out more about tube shunts and see if you are a candidate for this procedure, please contact one of our office locations in River Forest or Gurnee to schedule a consultation.

What to Expect with Tube Shunt

Tube shunt is an outpatient operation done under local anesthesia and you can go home the same day. Your surgeon will perform the operation by placing a tube into the front chamber of your eye that is connected to a drainage plate that will be placed under the soft tissue of the eye and back behind your eye muscles under your upper eyelid so no one will be able to see it after surgery. Tube shunt follow up: Our doctors advise you to return for a one day follow up to monitor your progress. You will need to use recovery eye drops to help your eye heal from surgery. It is important to follow all instructions regarding limiting activity, refraining from any heavy lifting or straining or bending over in the immediate days and first couple weeks after surgery as your eye heals from the operation.

If you have not had success managing your glaucoma with other methods, Kirk Eye Center may be able to help you attain a better quality of life with a trabeculectomy. This advanced treatment method has long been considered safe and effective for later-stage glaucoma. Contact our facility in River Forest or Gurnee, IL to schedule your consultation, and learn more about options to preserve your vision.