Tube Shunt Surgery Month 1: What to Expect

By the end of month one the eye usually looks and feels much better, and vision has often improved. The American Academy of Ophthalmology puts blurry vision after a drainage implant at several days to a few weeks, so most people are past the worst of it.

Eye pressure is the thing to watch this month, and what it does depends on your device. EyeWiki describes a hypertensive phase of elevated pressure, typically in the 30 to 50 mm Hg range, occurring anywhere between 1 and 6 weeks after surgery, and says it is more common with valved implants such as the Ahmed. If your pressure climbs in week 3, 4, or 5, that is a recognized pattern, not a sign the operation failed. EyeWiki lists management options including medications, digital massage, and bleb needling with or without 5 fluorouracil.

If you have a non valved device such as a Baerveldt, month one is usually still the quiet period before the tube opens. BrightFocus Foundation says the tube opens when the surgeon placed sutures dissolve or are removed approximately 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, and EyeWiki notes that with non valved implants your glaucoma medications are continued until the capsule forms around the plate. Expect a pressure change around that point and expect your drop list to change with it.