Glaucoma Surgery: What It Is, How It Works, and What to Expect

When glaucoma surgery, a medical procedure designed to reduce pressure inside the eye and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. It's often the next step when eye drops or laser treatments don't do enough to stop vision loss. Glaucoma doesn't always cause pain or obvious symptoms, but it slowly destroys the optic nerve — the cable that sends images from your eye to your brain. Left untreated, it can lead to permanent blindness. That’s why lowering intraocular pressure, the fluid pressure inside the eye that, when too high, crushes the optic nerve is the main goal of treatment — and why surgery becomes necessary for many people.

There are different kinds of glaucoma surgery, procedures that create new drainage pathways or reduce fluid production in the eye. Some, like trabeculectomy, create a tiny opening in the white of the eye to let fluid escape. Others, like MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgery), use tiny devices or lasers to improve drainage without major cuts. These newer options often mean faster recovery, less risk, and fewer side effects. But not every type works for everyone — your eye pressure, nerve damage level, and overall health all shape what’s best for you. It’s not just about cutting pressure; it’s about protecting your vision long-term without adding new problems like infection, blurry vision, or cataracts.

People often think surgery means a long hospital stay or months of recovery. That’s not true for most modern glaucoma procedures. Many are done in under an hour, outpatient, with local anesthesia. You’ll go home the same day. But healing still takes time — you’ll need to avoid heavy lifting, rubbing your eyes, and swimming for weeks. You’ll also keep using eye drops, even after surgery, because the goal isn’t to stop all treatment — it’s to reduce how much you need. And while surgery can stop vision loss, it can’t bring back sight you’ve already lost. That’s why catching glaucoma early matters so much.

Not everyone needs surgery. Some manage well with drops alone. Others need laser first. But if your pressure stays too high, or your optic nerve keeps getting worse, surgery isn’t a last resort — it’s your best chance to hold onto what vision you still have. The decision isn’t about fear of needles or scalpels. It’s about protecting the one thing you can’t replace: your sight.

Below, you’ll find real stories and facts from people who’ve been through this — what worked, what didn’t, and what your doctor might not tell you about recovery, costs, and alternatives.