Cole Eye Institute - Cleveland Clinic

Glaucoma Surgery
In 2006 and 2007, a total of 443 glaucoma surgical surgeries were performed at the Cole Eye Institute, ranging from primary trabeculectomy in
patients undergoing initial glaucoma surgery to complex combined procedures performed in conjunction with cornea and/or retinal specialists. Combined
procedures were performed in 47 percent of patients.
Surgeries Performed in Patients with ≥ 3 Months Follow-up Data
Surgery Type N %
Trabeculectomy 248 55.9
Glaucoma Implant 159 35.9
Revision of Trabeculectomy 19 4.3
Revision of Glaucoma Implant 14 3.2
Other 3 0.7
Total 443 100
The most common procedures performed for glaucoma patients are trabeculectomy and implantation of a glaucoma drainage device. The goal of each
of these procedures is reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) to prevent progressive glaucomatous optic nerve damage and associated loss of vision. A
significant IOP reduction was achieved in patients who underwent these procedures at the Cole Eye Institute, as assessed at the three-month follow-up.
The mean IOP reduction in patients who underwent trabeculectomy was 6.8 mm Hg, representing a decrease of 29 percent from baseline. In patients
who had a glaucoma drainage device implanted, the mean IOP reduction was 12.9 mm Hg, representing a decrease from baseline of 40.2 percent.
Glaucoma surgery is not expected to improve visual acuity. ETDRS letter scores show stable post operative acuity,
Outcomes 2007 12