Canaloplasty is a glaucoma surgery that enlarges the eye’s natural drainage canal to improve fluid outflow without creating a full-thickness drainage bleb.
How canaloplasty works
The surgeon threads a microcatheter around Schlemm’s canal, injecting viscoelastic to dilate it. A tensioning suture may be left to keep the canal open and reduce resistance.
- Designed mainly for open-angle glaucoma
- Often performed through a superficial scleral flap
- Does not usually create an external filtering bleb under the conjunctiva
- Aims for moderate, steady pressure reduction
Advantages and limitations
Canaloplasty preserves conjunctiva for future surgery and has fewer bleb-related complications. However, it may not achieve the very low pressures needed in advanced disease.
- Recovery can be quicker than with traditional trabeculectomy
- Suitable for patients needing pressure control but with lower risk profile
- Some may still require drops or further procedures
- Success depends on canal anatomy and surgeon experience
