Our Summary
This study looked at the trends in glaucoma surgeries over 13 years (2010-2022) at a major hospital in Spain. The researchers looked at data from almost 13,000 surgeries, including the type of procedure, the patient’s age, sex, and specific type of glaucoma. The study didn’t include surgeries on people under 18.
The researchers found that the use of traditional surgeries for glaucoma, such as trabeculectomy (a procedure to remove part of the eye’s trabecular meshwork), glaucoma drainage devices, and cyclodestruction (a procedure that destroys the part of the eye that makes fluid), dropped from making up 93.2% of all procedures to just 23.6%.
On the other hand, minimally invasive surgeries (MIGS and MIBS), which involve less cutting and less damage to the body than traditional surgery, increased dramatically, from making up just 3.8% of all surgeries in 2010 to 74.7% in 2022.
Also, the number of surgeries that combined different procedures increased a bit, from 39.0% in 2010 to 44.2% in 2022, and most of these combined procedures in 2022 were minimally invasive surgeries.
In simpler terms, the study found that doctors are now more likely to use gentler, less invasive surgeries to treat glaucoma than they were a decade ago, and they’re also more likely to use a combination of procedures. The old-school, more invasive surgeries are being used less often.
FAQs
- What types of glaucoma surgeries have decreased in use over the study period (2010-2022)?
- How has the use of minimally invasive surgeries (MIGS and MIBS) changed over the 13-year study period?
- What percentage of surgeries that combined different procedures in 2022 were minimally invasive surgeries?
Doctor’s Tip
One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about glaucoma surgery is to inquire about minimally invasive options, as they can offer a gentler approach with potentially less risk and quicker recovery time compared to traditional surgeries. It’s important to discuss all available options with your doctor to find the best treatment plan for your specific case of glaucoma.
Suitable For
Patients who are typically recommended glaucoma surgery are those who have not responded well to other treatments such as eye drops or laser therapy, or those who have advanced or severe glaucoma that is not well controlled with medication. Additionally, patients who have certain types of glaucoma, such as angle-closure glaucoma or secondary glaucoma, may also be recommended for surgery. Older patients, those with certain risk factors such as high eye pressure or optic nerve damage, and those who have already had previous eye surgeries may also be candidates for glaucoma surgery.
Timeline
Before glaucoma surgery, a patient typically undergoes a comprehensive eye examination to determine the severity of their condition and the most appropriate treatment plan. This may involve visual acuity tests, intraocular pressure measurements, visual field tests, and imaging studies of the optic nerve.
After the decision is made to proceed with surgery, the patient will have a pre-operative consultation with their surgeon to discuss the procedure, potential risks and benefits, and what to expect during the recovery period. The patient may also need to undergo additional pre-operative testing to ensure they are healthy enough to undergo surgery.
During the surgery itself, the patient will be given anesthesia to numb the eye and may receive sedation to help them relax. The surgeon will then perform the chosen procedure, whether it be traditional surgery or a minimally invasive procedure, to help lower intraocular pressure and preserve vision.
After surgery, the patient will be monitored closely for any complications and will likely need to use eye drops and other medications to aid in the healing process. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to check on the patient’s progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan.
Overall, the goal of glaucoma surgery is to slow or stop the progression of the disease and preserve the patient’s vision for as long as possible. With the increasing use of minimally invasive procedures, patients may experience faster recovery times and fewer complications compared to traditional surgeries.
What to Ask Your Doctor
Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about glaucoma surgery based on this information include:
- What type of glaucoma surgery do you recommend for my specific case?
- Can you explain the differences between traditional glaucoma surgeries and minimally invasive surgeries?
- What are the potential risks and benefits of each type of surgery?
- Are there any specific factors, such as my age or type of glaucoma, that make me a better candidate for one type of surgery over another?
- Are there any potential complications or side effects associated with the surgery you are recommending?
- Will I need to undergo multiple surgeries or a combination of procedures to effectively treat my glaucoma?
- How long is the recovery process for the surgery you are recommending?
- What is the success rate of the surgery you are recommending, and what will be done if the surgery is not successful?
- Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that I should consider before moving forward with surgery?
- Can you provide me with more information or resources to help me better understand the recommended surgery and its potential outcomes?
Reference
Authors: Morales-Fernandez L, Garcia-Bardera J, Pérez-García P, Saenz-Frances F, Garcia-Saenz S, Martinez-de-la-Casa JM, Garcia-Feijoo J. Journal: Eur J Ophthalmol. 2025 May;35(3):938-946. doi: 10.1177/11206721241295291. Epub 2024 Oct 29. PMID: 39469921