What is the purpose of trabeculectomy?

• A. A laser treatment to reduce aqueous production
• B. A retina detachment repair
• C. A surgical procedure creating a new outflow pathway to lower IOP via a filtering bleb
• D. A corneal transplant replacement

Answer: (C)

The main idea is to lower intraocular pressure by increasing drainage of the aqueous humor. Trabeculectomy does this by creating a new outflow pathway from the front chamber of the eye to a subconjunctival space, forming a filtering bleb. This bypasses the usual drainage route through the trabecular meshwork, so aqueous humor can escape more easily and pressure decreases. It’s a filtering surgical approach, not a laser treatment to reduce production, not a retina detachment repair, and not a corneal transplant. Using this new pathway helps protect the optic nerve from glaucoma-related damage, though it can carry risks such as bleb leaks, infection, or hypotony and may require antifibrotic agents to keep the new drainage route functioning.