First Process

• Glaucoma surgery is done in the day theatre complex.
• You will be given a specific time to arrive at the theatre reception.
• Once admitted, you will be accompanied to the ward where you will have drops placed in your eye.
• Most glaucoma surgery is done under local anaesthesia and sedation.
  • Occasional patients might be booked for general anaesthesia.

Second Process

• Glaucoma surgery takes on average 20-40 minutes, but complex cases can take up to 90 minutes.
• During surgery, you will be sedated and will not have any pain.
• After the surgery you will be taken to the recovery area.
• Once comfortable you will be discharged home in the care of a friend or relative.
  • Please note: you cannot drive on the day of the operation, due to the sedation

Third Process

• Post-operatively you will keep the eye patch and shield on your eye overnight and we will remove it on the first day, post-operatively, in our consultation rooms.
  • The eye is usually not painful post-op, although sometimes scratchy if any sutures are used.
  • On the first day of surgery the forehead, cheek, and scalp will often be numb from the normal local anaesthesia.
  • Any worsening redness or pain must be reported to our rooms immediately.

Fourth Process

• Vision can be blurred for the first 2 weeks after surgery.
• Please make sure that  you know which drops are required after the operation and DO NOT STOP any medication for any reason, unless specifically instructed to do so by Dr Du Toit.
• Glaucoma stents and operations are prone to scar tissue formation and in the first few weeks post-op, it is vitally important to be using the correct medication to prevent scarring from happening.
• It might be necessary for several visits in the first few weeks after the operation, to ensure the eye is healing well.

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