- When trabeculectomy has failed, glaucoma treatment can resort to ciliary body destruction. This may be performed using freezing (cyclocryotherapy) or laser (YAG) surgery.
- The surgery is performed in an outpatient setting through the Ambulatory Surgery Unit at University Hospital. Anesthesia is local. The procedure lasts for 30 minutes. Postoperative discomfort is the most significant complication. Decreased vision and inflammation in the eye can occur. Frequently, patients may resume usual daily activities within days after surgery.
- Ciliary body destruction is a procedure of last resort. It should be considered only after other modalities have been tried. However, in a patient who has failed trabeculectomy, it should be considered to prevent further loss of vision.
