Keywords
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery
Glaucoma
Trabeculectomy
Surgical treatment
How to Cite
Copyright © | All rights reserved.
The journal holds the exclusive copyright for the publication of this article under the terms of Brazilian law 9610/98.
Partial reproduction
The use of parts of the texts, figures and questionnaire of the article is free, being mandatory the citation of the authors and journal.
Total reproduction
It is expressly prohibited and must be authorized by the journal.
Abstract
Objective: To analyze the recent scientific literature on surgical approaches used in the treatment of glaucoma, identifying their indications, techniques, benefits, and limitations. Methods: This is an integrative literature review. The search was conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and Scopus databases using the descriptors “glaucoma,” “surgical treatment,” “glaucoma surgery,” and “minimally invasive glaucoma surgery,” combined with the Boolean operator AND. Articles published between 2021 and 2025 in Portuguese, English, or Spanish were included. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 articles comprised the final sample. Results: The analysis showed a predominance of studies on minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), highlighted for their safety, effectiveness in reducing intraocular pressure, and shorter recovery time. Traditional techniques such as trabeculectomy and drainage devices remain indicated for advanced or refractory cases. Other approaches, such as canaloplasty, femtosecond laser use, and combined surgeries, were also identified as promising. Final considerations: The current literature demonstrates significant progress in surgical techniques for the treatment of glaucoma, reinforcing the importance of individualized and evidence-based therapeutic choices. Further clinical studies are needed to consolidate the efficacy and safety of emerging techniques and to expand their accessibility in ophthalmic practice.
References
ANDRADE F, LOPES D. A guide to glaucoma surgery. Health Perspect. 2024;29(3):221–8.
ANG BCH, et al. Recent advancements in glaucoma surgery - A review. Bioengineering. 2023; 10(9):1096.
CASSARD SD, et al. Regional variation and disparities in timely glaucoma care. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2012;130(12):1575–82.
CHEN DZ, SNG CC. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery: current status and future prospects. Clin Ophthalmol. 2023;17:1801–13.
CHEN Y, et al. Outcomes of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) in open-angle glaucoma. Ophthalmol Ther. 2024;13(1):45–53.
COSTA R, MELO J. The surgical management of glaucoma: A review. Braz J Ophthalmol. 2022;81(2):198–204.
DEREK JR, et al. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery: current perspectives and future directions. Eye Rep. 2020;12(1):45–52.
DE SOUSA MNA, et al. Revisão integrativa: método de pesquisa para a incorporação de evidências na saúde e na educação. Rev Bras Enferm. 2023; 76(1).
FERNANDES A, SILVA M. Revolution in glaucoma treatment: A review elucidating canaloplasty and other non-penetrating surgeries. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025;12:1494391.
GARCIA D, BROWN M. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery: A review of the literature. Int Ophthalmol. 2022;42(4):387–95.
GOMES R, et al. Surgical interventions for glaucoma following penetrating keratoplasty: A network meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):2205.
GORDON MO, et al. The Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study: baseline factors that predict the onset of primary open-angle glaucoma. Arch Ophthalmol. 2002;120(6):714–20.
JOHNSON B, ALMEIDA G. Glaucoma surgical treatments: A comparative analysis. UnitedHealthcare Clin Rev. 2025;1(1):1–10.
JORGE JM, et al. Postoperative complications following trabeculectomy: a critical review. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2019;82(5):413–21.
KANSKI JJ, et al. Clinical ophthalmology: a systematic approach. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2021.
KUMAR P, et al. Femtosecond laser trabeculotomy: A novel, noninvasive approach to glaucoma treatment. Lasers Surg Med. 2025;57(1):11–7.
LEE S e TRAN H. Outcomes and complications of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS). Clin Ophthalmol. 2023;17:313–20.
LESKE MC, et al. Predictors of long-term progression in the early manifest glaucoma trial. Ophthalmology. 2003;110(4):778–85.
MEDEIROS FA, WEINREB RN. Is intraocular pressure the best target for glaucoma treatment? Ophthalmology. 2012;119(5):987–8.
NARANJO P, et al. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery: Latest developments and future directions. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2024;35(2):91–7.
PATEL D, SINGH R. Management of refractory glaucoma: A new surgical paradigm. J Glaucoma. 2025;34(2):123–30.
PRUM BE Jr, et al. Primary open-angle glaucoma preferred practice pattern® guidelines. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(1):P41–111.
QUIGLIANA LM, et al. Surgical options in glaucoma care: a modern overview. J Ophthalmol. 2021;58(2):115–23.
RODRIGUEZ L, et al. Combined microinvasive glaucoma surgery with phacoemulsification. Am J Ophthalmol. 2024;140(6):678–84.
SINGH A, et al. Complications after incisional/excisional MIGS. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2025;56(3):105–12.
SMITH A, OLIVEIRA M. Glaucoma surgery: What you need to know for treatment success. Verywell Health Rev. 2023;8(1):33–40.
SOUZA MT, et al. Revisão integrativa: o que é e como fazer. Einstein (São Paulo). 2010;8(1):102–6.
STEINMETZ JD, et al. Causes of blindness and vision impairment in 2020 and trends over 30 years. Lancet Glob Health. 2021;9(2):e144–60.
THAM YC, et al. Global prevalence of glaucoma and projections of glaucoma burden through 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ophthalmology. 2014;121(11):2081–90.