Although there is no cure for glaucoma, treatment often can control it. Most doctors use medications to control intraocular pressure in newly diagnosed glaucoma. When medical treatment is inadequate or inappropriate, glaucoma surgery may be required.

The purpose of glaucoma filtration surgery (trabeculoctomy)is to make a new opening for the fluid to exit the eye. The surgeon removes a small piece of tissue from the white (sclera) of the eye, creating a new channel for fluid drainage.

Though serious complications with glaucoma surgery are uncommon, they can occur as with any surgery. Surgery is recommended only if the ophthalmologist feels that it is safer to operate than to allow optic nerve damage to continue.