Glaucoma Surgery Risks: What Patients Should Know

Glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy, tube shunt, MIGS) carries risks:

• Infection (endophthalmitis): Rare but vision-threatening.
• Bleeding: Usually controlled; rarely significant.
• Scarring: Can cause bleb failure (trabeculectomy).
• Corneal decompensation: Edema, may need transplant.
• Hypotony: Pressure too low → pain, maculopathy, vision loss.
• Tube/shunt failure: Blockage, erosion, migration.
• Vision loss: Rare, from surgery itself or complications.
• Need for reoperation: Common long-term.

Discuss specific risks for your procedure with your surgeon. Benefits (pressure control, vision preservation) usually outweigh risks in progressive glaucoma.