Is trabectome a new procedure for glaucoma and is it preferred over the trabeculectomy procedure?

Recent: Trabectome offers a somewhat less involved means to lower the pressure in the eye. Trabeculectomy is time tested with predictable outcomes. Trabectome seems to give less of an effect. If your glaucoma is mild, then trabectome might be a good option but trabeculectomy would be better for more advanced or severe glaucoma. Discuss with your glaucoma surgeon.

Yes: The trabeculotome is a relatively new procedure. There is no procedure that is preferred by most ophthalmologists for the treatment of glaucoma. Your ophthalmologist will have his/her preferences based on experience. Take his/her advise. He/she is the expert.

Different: Both are ways of getting the fluid (aqueous humor) to drain out of the eye to lower pressure, but trabeculectomy is still the gold standard for getting the lowest pressures.

Yes: There are many new glaucoma procedures. The goal is better, more prolonged decrease in pressure with minimal side effects. Both are good procedures. The trabeculectomy has a longer tract record but can have more inconsistant results.

Relatively new: Yes newer, can visit website trabeculectomy is a gold standard procedure and usually indicated for more severe disease or when the pressure needs to be much lower. Trabectome can be combined with cataract surgery and reduces the pressure some but long term results still a little lacking.