How exactly is glaucoma surgery done? The most common surgical procedure for glaucoma surgery is trabeculectomy. Glaucoma occurs when the dynamic balance of atrial fluid production and outflow in the eye is disrupted and does not flow out properly causing an increase in intraocular pressure. The purpose of a trabeculectomy is to make a drainage channel to divert the atrial fluid out of the eye. However, the eye, like any other structure, has the potential to heal as long as there is an incision. As time goes on, the channel made by the surgery may slowly heal and the pressure in the eye may become high again, and another surgery may be necessary. In addition to trabeculectomy there are trabecular meshwork ablation and trabecular atrial angle dissection, etc. The exact method will be determined by the surgeon depending on the condition.