The purpose of glaucoma drainage surgery is to help control the pressure in your eye and preserve your vision. If the intraocular pressure (IOP) remains too high, your optic nerve becomes damaged, leading to vision loss and eventual blindness.
In cases of severe open-angle glaucoma or chronic (long-term) glaucoma, if your eye is at high risk for scarring and your IOP needs to be lowered to preserve your vision, your ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) may recommend placing a tiny drainage tube in your eye called a seton.
The drainage tube creates a new channel for fluid to flow from the eye to a filtering area, called a bleb. A tiny plate placed on the eye helps the bleb form and remain open. The tube is covered with a patch and is typically not seen or felt. This procedure is performed in the operating room on an outpatient basis.
When successful, seton surgery will decrease the pressure in your eye, minimizing the risk of vision loss from glaucoma.
Some of the complications of seton surgery may include:
* failure to control eye pressure with the need for repeat surgery;
* eye pressure that is too low;
* irritation or discomfort;
* double vision;
* infection;
* bleeding;
* cataract; and
* erosion of the tube, requiring repeat surgery.
While some people may experience side effects from glaucoma medications or surgery, the risks associated with these side effects should be balanced against the greater risk of leaving glaucoma untreated and losing your vision.
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