A new type of glaucoma drainage surgery was developed and is now being further refined. Microscopic drainage tubes “microfistulas” are implanted in the eye to increase the outflow of fluid from the eye to restore normal pressure within the eye. High pressure within the eye is a major risk factor in glaucoma, a common sight threatening disease currently requiring lifelong medication to lower the pressure within the eye.
The novel aspect of our surgical approach is that the implantation is achieved without disruption of the overlying tissue at the drainage site, and the biocompatible implant dissolves with time leaving a clear drainage pathway.
