trabeculectomy

Full Definition

Trabeculectomy is a filtering surgery performed to treat glaucoma by creating an alternative drainage route for aqueous humor when medical therapy has failed to adequately control intraocular pressure. The procedure involves creating a partial-thickness scleral flap and removing a small portion of trabecular meshwork to allow aqueous humor to drain from the anterior chamber into a filtering bleb under the conjunctiva. Success rates vary, and the procedure may require postoperative interventions such as bleb needling or antimetabolite injections to maintain long-term pressure control.

In Context

• "The patient's trabeculectomy resulted in excellent pressure control with IOP maintained below 15 mmHg." — Follow-up examination note
• "Mitomycin C was applied during trabeculectomy to reduce the risk of postoperative scarring." — Surgical procedure note