Glaucoma Tube Shunts

What will I feel during and after the surgery?

You may see bright lights during the surgery, but should not feel any pain. You will be discharged with a clear plastic shield with or without a patch over the operated eye. An adult will need to drive you home since you received sedating medications.

Most patients will be asked to use a steroid and antibiotic eye drops to help reduce inflammation and prevent infections. Your doctor will check your eye at each visit and may change the eye drop instructions depending on how your eye is doing. You will see your doctor the first day after surgery, about a week later, and a few weeks after that. Depending on how your eye heals, additional or fewer visits may be needed.

The first few days after surgery, vision may be worse than it was before surgery. This will improve over 1-2 weeks, although it can sometimes take longer. The vision in your other eye will not be affected, and may be depended on for vision during the recovery period (if it has vision). Depending on your job and your other eye, you should be able to return to work within a few days to a few weeks. Limitations in physical activities at work may be needed.

After surgery, your eye may be sore, and it may feel like there is something in it, like an eyelash.  The drops may burn when you put them in, and your eye may water or tear a lot.  These symptoms are common but usually are mild, and improve for most people after 1-2 days.  Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a good option unless you are unable to take this medication.  If your eye has severe pain or sudden worsening pain or vision after surgery, please call our office or on call physician immediately.

Will I have restrictions after surgery?

You will be given detailed instructions after your surgery that are specific to your eye’s needs. In general, the following guidelines apply:

• The plastic shield should be worn while sleeping for 1 or more weeks after surgery to protect the eye. While outside during the day, sunglasses should be worn to protect the eye from the sun and wind.
• For the first few weeks, avoid strenuous activities (running, lifting more than 10 pounds), bending, rubbing the eye, wearing eye makeup, and swimming.

There are no restrictions in reading, watching TV, using your phone, tablet device, computer, etc, but your eyes may tire more easily during these activities.

Will my glaucoma be cured with the glaucoma tube shunt device?

The simple answer is no. Any vision that is already lost before surgery will not return. Tube shunt surgery only lowers your eye pressure. By lowering the eye pressure, the goal is to either stop or slow down your loss of vision. Most people will need some glaucoma eye drops to keep their pressure under control. In some cases, people may take fewer eye drops than prior to surgery. The need for eye drops after tube shunt surgery varies greatly and is determined by your type of glaucoma and the rate it is progressing.