Glaucoma Drainage Device (Tube) Surgery What is glaucoma drainage device (tube) surgery? A glaucoma drainage device is a small, specially designed device that is implanted to reduce eye pressure. There are two main parts to the device, a tube and a plate. During surgery, the silicone tube is inserted into the front chamber of the eye through a small hole. The other end of the tube is attached to the plate. The plate is attached to the white wall (sclera) of the eye and is covered by the conjunctiva (transparent covering of the eyeball).
This surgery is done as a day surgery procedure so you can go home on the same day. The surgery takes about 60-90 minutes. Before the surgery, the surgeon and anaesthetist will administer local anaesthesia (with sedation) or general anaesthesia. Why do I need this procedure? Your doctor has diagnosed you with glaucoma and informed you that if left untreated, it is very likely that you will experience irreversible vision loss.
This implant is designed to be left in your eye for life and does not need to be removed unless there are special reasons to do so.
Your doctor has advised that glaucoma drainage device surgery is necessary to help control the pressure in your eye. This surgery involves the implantation of a glaucoma drainage device in your eye. The purpose of the surgery is to achieve good eye pressure control and preserve your current vision. Any vision already lost to glaucoma cannot be restored.
The anti-scarring medication, mitomycin-C, may be applied during the surgery. Donor tissue may also be used to reinforce the eye surface (covering) over the tube to prevent erosion and exposure.
There is no guarantee that the surgery will control your eye pressure in the long term. You may still need to resume eye drops and/or further treatment may be necessary.
The tube drains fluid from inside the eye to the plate outside the eye. The plate acts like a reservoir for this fluid. The drained fluid is then slowly absorbed by the body.