What to Expect Immediately After Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery

If you have glaucoma that isn’t controlled with traditional treatments like medication or laser therapy, or if you wish to reduce dependance, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery may be a helpful treatment at the time of your cataract surgery.

At Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma, our expert cataract and glaucoma surgeon Anand Bhatt, MD, offers several types of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. Read on to learn about each procedure and what to expect immediately after treatment.

Understanding the types of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery

Dr. Bhatt and his team offer two types of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery:

Goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade®

The Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) is a specialized surgical instrument designed to treat glaucoma by targeting the trabecular meshwork, the eye’s natural drainage system. It allows Dr. Bhatt to remove a section of the trabecular meshwork, improving fluid outflow and reducing intraocular pressure.

Canaloplasty with the OMNI® Surgical System

Canaloplasty with the OMNI Surgical System also improves fluid outflow, but it takes a different approach.

During this procedure, Dr. Bhatt makes a small incision in your cornea and inserts a tool called a microcatheter into Schlemm’s canal, the eye’s primary drainage system. Once in place, the catheter delivers a viscoelastic to widen the canal, improving fluid outflow and reducing intraocular pressure.

What to expect immediately after glaucoma surgery

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery typically takes a few minutes. After the procedure is finished, someone must drive you home, as you’ll experience various symptoms, including:

Vision changes

Even though minimally invasive glaucoma surgery is quick, it causes mild bleeding in the anterior segment of the eye. This can affect your eyesight in various ways, but commonly results in blurred vision. Blurring is often quite noticeable at first but usually improves within a few days.

Eye discomfort

The incisions made during minimally invasive glaucoma surgery are small, but they tend to irritate the affected eye. Don’t be alarmed if you experience mild itching or pain. Some people also experience the sensation of having a foreign object, like a piece of sand, stuck in their eyes.

Eye drops

After glaucoma surgery, Dr. Bhatt prescribes special eyedrops to reduce inflammation and prevent infection. Administer them as prescribed to speed healing. 

Eye patch and eyeshield

Immediately after surgery, you must wear an eye patch for a few hours. Likewise, you’ll need to wear an eye shield when sleeping for one week following your surgery. The shield prevents your eye from rubbing or bumping against surfaces like your pillow. They also reduce irritation and let your eye heal without any disruptions.

Schedule a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery consultation!

Dr. Bhatt and his team at Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma are proud to offer minimally invasive glaucoma surgery to preserve vision. If you’re interested in seeing if you qualify for this treatment at the time of your cataract surgery, schedule a consultation today by calling our office in Santa Ana, California, at 714-541-4185 or by using the online booking feature.