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Glaucoma Surgery / MIGS
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent vision loss and for many patients, surgery becomes a necessary step in keeping it under control. At Quantum Eye Surgery Center, we offer the full spectrum of glaucoma surgical procedures, from the latest minimally invasive options to traditional surgery, so that every patient who comes through our doors has access to the right treatment for their situation.
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What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. In most cases, this damage is caused by elevated pressure inside the eye.
Because glaucoma progresses slowly and often without noticeable symptoms in the early stages, many patients do not realize they have it until significant damage has already occurred.
Glaucoma is typically diagnosed and initially managed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist through regular eye exams and monitoring. When the condition reaches a point where medication alone is no longer enough to control eye pressure, surgical intervention becomes the next step.
Glaucoma Surgery at Quantum Eye Surgery Center
Glaucoma treatment is not one-size-fits-all. The right treatment depends on the type of glaucoma, how advanced it is, and how well the eye has responded to prior treatment.
Eye drops are usually the first line of defense, but when pressure remains too high despite medication, laser procedures or surgery are typically recommended. The goal across all of these options is to lower eye pressure to protect the optic nerve and preserve the vision that remains.
Laser Procedures
Laser treatments for glaucoma are generally among the least invasive options and can be highly effective for the right patients.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) targets the drainage tissue of the eye to improve fluid outflow and reduce eye pressure. It is a well-established, repeatable procedure that many patients tolerate well with minimal downtime.
YAG Peripheral Iridotomy (YAG PI) creates a small opening in the iris to improve fluid circulation within the eye. It is primarily used for patients with narrow-angle glaucoma or those at risk of angle-closure.
Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) and Micropulse Laser Treatment are both performed in the operating room and work by reducing the amount of fluid the eye produces rather than improving drainage. ECP uses an endoscopic laser to treat the fluid-producing tissue directly, while Micropulse delivers laser energy in short pulses to treat the same tissue via a different approach. Your surgeon will determine which option is appropriate for your situation. Both are often combined with cataract surgery when appropriate.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
MIGS refers to a category of newer surgical procedures designed to lower eye pressure with less tissue disruption and faster recovery compared to traditional glaucoma surgery. They are typically performed at the time of cataract surgery, though some can be done as standalone procedures.
At Quantum Eye Surgery Center, we offer the full range of MIGS options currently available.
Micro-stents are tiny devices implanted into the eye’s natural drainage system to improve fluid outflow. We offer multiple stent platforms, including the iStent, Hydrus, and Allflo, each with a slightly different mechanism and profile that your surgeon will factor into the recommendation.
Xen Gel Stent creates a small channel to redirect fluid from inside the eye to the space beneath the conjunctiva, where it can be absorbed. It sits in a middle ground between MIGS and traditional surgery in terms of pressure reduction potential.
iDose is a sustained-release implant that delivers medication directly inside the eye over an extended period, with the goal of reducing dependence on daily eye drops.
Canaloplasty-based procedures use devices like the Omni and Streamline to access and open the eye’s natural drainage canal, restoring outflow through the eye’s own system rather than creating a new pathway.
Goniotomy involves opening the drainage angle of the eye using a blade device such as the KDB (Kahook Dual Blade) to remove tissue that is blocking fluid outflow. It is a straightforward and effective option for many patients with open-angle glaucoma.
Traditional Glaucoma Surgery
For patients with more advanced glaucoma or those who have not responded adequately to other treatments, traditional surgical options remain an important and effective part of the picture.
Trabeculectomy creates a new drainage opening in the eye, allowing fluid to escape and reducing intraocular pressure. It has been performed for decades and remains one of the most effective procedures available for significantly lowering eye pressure.
Tube shunt surgery involves implanting a small device that redirects fluid from inside the eye to a reservoir beneath the conjunctiva, where it is absorbed by the body. It is often recommended for patients who are not good candidates for trabeculectomy, who have had prior surgical failures, or in cases where the eye’s condition makes a tube shunt the more appropriate primary choice.
Both traditional glaucoma surgery procedures require more recovery time than MIGS, but for the right patients, they offer a level of pressure control that less invasive options cannot always achieve.
If you have been referred for glaucoma surgery or are looking for a surgical team with experience across every available option, we are here to help.