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Canaloplasty is treatment for glaucoma using advanced non-penetrating technology. It is an effective and safe treatment for glaucoma and cataracts as it restores the natural outflow and does not destroy the eye’s natural drainage system. In addition, the intraocular pressure is well controlled. This form of treatment minimizes the vision-threatening complications and scarring that occur when the traditional surgery is performed. It is painless and the patient has a quick recovery, hence is able to see faster with minimal or no post operative management. Canaloplasty is especially beneficial to the young who are in the early stages of glaucoma.

Unlike in traditional surgery, Canaloplasty does not require a patient to take several medications before and after the operation especially since there is no choroidal hemorrhage or detachments. This in turn greatly reduces the costs of anti- glaucoma medicines. It also allows for other treatment alternatives in the future.

In this procedure, a microcatheter is inserted through the sclera into the schlemm’s canal which is in the back part of the cornea. Glaucoma can be caused by the schemm’s canal getting blocked causing high intraocular pressure resulting in loss of sight. A narrow tube is then threaded through the canal through which a gel is distributed through the canal widening the schemm’s canal unblocking it hence relieving the pressure and restoring sight.
On the other hand, Canaloplasty is more costly than the traditional mode of treatment. The procedure also takes a relatively longer time than the traditional procedure. The surgeon has to undertake specialized training in order o master this procedure. Some of the complications that occur, though very rarely are hyphema and detachment of descemet membrane.

Finally, only those with common glaucoma and those who have not undergone prior corrective surgery can be candidates for this procedure for successful results.