Glaucoma Surgery: When Eye Drops Are Not Enough
A guide from Nunehim Eye Center, Guro-gu, Seoul
Quick Answer
Glaucoma surgery for glaucoma surgery Seoul patients becomes the next step when eye drops and laser treatment can no longer keep intraocular pressure (IOP) low enough to protect the optic nerve. Options range from minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) to trabeculectomy or tube shunt implantation, chosen based on glaucoma type, severity, and how much the pressure needs to come down.
Q. What is glaucoma surgery, and why does Seoul need a local approach?
Glaucoma surgery covers a range of procedures designed to lower eye pressure by improving fluid drainage or reducing fluid production inside the eye. For glaucoma surgery Seoul residents in Yeongdeungpo, Guro, and Gasan, access to regular monitoring matters as much as the procedure itself, since glaucoma is a chronic, lifelong condition that needs consistent follow-up rather than a single fix.
Q. What are the signs that eye drops are no longer enough?
- Visual field loss continues on repeat testing despite using drops as prescribed
- Intraocular pressure stays above target even on maximum-tolerated drop therapy
- Side effects (redness, irritation, systemic effects) make long-term drop use difficult
- OCT or optic nerve imaging shows ongoing thinning of the nerve fiber layer
▸ Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in Korea, and prevalence rises sharply after age 40.
▸ Normal-tension glaucoma, where optic nerve damage occurs even at statistically normal eye pressure, is more common in Korean and other East Asian populations than in Western populations.
▸ Many glaucoma surgery Seoul patients from Guro, Yeongdeungpo, and Gasan first come in for a second opinion after their eye drop regimen stops controlling pressure.
▸ Guidelines recommend intraocular pressure checks every three to six months for anyone on glaucoma treatment, with more frequent visits after surgery.
Q. What surgical options exist for glaucoma?
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) uses tiny devices or micro-incisions to improve drainage with faster recovery, and is often combined with cataract surgery. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a first-line option for many open-angle patients before more invasive surgery is considered.
For more advanced or harder-to-control glaucoma, trabeculectomy creates a new drainage channel under the eyelid, and tube shunt implants route fluid through a small device. The right choice depends on glaucoma type, target pressure, and prior treatment history.
Q. What happens during and after surgery?
Most glaucoma procedures are performed under local anesthesia with light sedation and take from 20 minutes to about an hour, depending on the technique. Patients are awake but comfortable throughout.
Recovery involves a course of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drops, restrictions on heavy lifting and swimming for two to four weeks, and close follow-up visits to check the new drainage pathway and eye pressure.
Q. When should I see a doctor in Seoul right away?
- Sudden, severe eye pain with headache or nausea (possible acute angle closure)
- New halos appearing around lights, especially at night
- Rapid or noticeable vision loss over days rather than months
- Eye pressure readings well above target on a routine check
Early Glaucoma
Usually managed with one or two eye drop medications and monitoring every four to six months.
Moderate Glaucoma
May add SLT laser or MIGS if drops alone cannot reach target pressure, with visual field checks twice yearly.
Advanced Glaucoma
Often requires trabeculectomy or tube shunt surgery for a larger, more durable pressure reduction.
“When a patient’s eye drops stop keeping pressure at target, I explain every surgical option in plain terms — what it involves, what recovery looks like, and how it fits their daily life in Seoul. Protecting the optic nerve early gives us the best chance of preserving vision long-term.” — Dr. Daniel Baik, board-certified ophthalmologist
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How is glaucoma surgery different from cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery replaces a cloudy lens to restore clear vision, while glaucoma surgery creates a new drainage pathway or reduces fluid production to lower eye pressure and protect the optic nerve. The two are sometimes combined in a single procedure when a patient has both conditions, which can reduce total recovery time.
Q. Is glaucoma surgery painful?
Most glaucoma procedures are done under local anesthesia with sedation, so patients feel pressure rather than pain during the operation. Mild soreness, tearing, or a gritty sensation for a few days afterward is normal and is managed with prescribed drops and, if needed, oral pain relief.
Q. How long is recovery after trabeculectomy?
Initial healing takes about two to four weeks, during which follow-up visits are scheduled closely to check pressure and the drainage bleb. Full stabilization of vision and eye pressure can take six to eight weeks, so patients are asked to avoid heavy lifting, swimming, and eye rubbing during this period.
Q. Will I still need eye drops after surgery?
Some patients reduce or stop drops entirely after successful surgery, while others still need one or two medications to keep pressure at target, especially with advanced or normal-tension glaucoma. The goal of surgery is to lower the pressure enough that fewer drops, or lower doses, are needed to protect vision.
Q. What is MIGS and who is a candidate?
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) uses small devices or micro-incisions to improve drainage with less tissue disruption than traditional filtering surgery, and is often combined with cataract surgery. It suits patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma who need a modest pressure reduction rather than a drastic one.
Q. How often should I get IOP checked in Seoul?
Patients on glaucoma treatment typically need intraocular pressure checks every three to six months, with visual field and optic nerve imaging at least once a year. Those recovering from recent surgery are seen more frequently in the first two to three months to confirm the new drainage pathway is working as intended.
Q. Is glaucoma surgery covered by Korean National Health Insurance?
Glaucoma surgery is generally covered under Korea’s National Health Insurance when medically indicated, with the patient responsible for a co-payment portion. Coverage details and MIGS device costs can vary, so it is worth confirming specifics for your case during a consultation.
Book a Consultation
Discuss your glaucoma treatment options with Dr. Daniel Baik at Nunehim Eye Center, Guro-gu, Seoul.
nunehim.com
📍 Visit Nunehim Eye Center — Guro, Seoul
Convenient access from Guro, Gasan, Gwanak & Dongjak. Near Guro Digital Complex Station (Line 2).
Address: 551 Siheung-daero, Guro-gu, Seoul / nunehim.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–18:30 (lunch 13–14), Sat 09:00–14:00
Languages: Korean & English
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