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Canaloplasty is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) that aims to restore the eye's natural drainage system rather than creating a new hole. By using a microcatheter to dilate Schlemm's canal, the procedure permanently expands the drainage pathway. It is preferred for patients who want to avoid the risks of a traditional "bleb" surgery.
read more about canaloplasty success rate ...Clinical data indicates that Canaloplasty has an overall success rate of 81.6 percent for maintaining an eye pressure of 21 mmHg or less. For patients with high baseline pressure, the success rate jumps to 83 percent. On average, patients see their intraocular pressure (IOP) drop from 24 mmHg to 15 mmHg within the first year.
A primary goal of Canaloplasty is reducing the need for daily eye drops. Statistics show that 46 percent of standalone Canaloplasty patients become completely medication-free. For those who still require drops, the average medication burden is reduced from 2.3 drops per day to 0.8 drops, significantly improving ocular surface health.
Canaloplasty is frequently performed during cataract surgery. Data reveals that this "combined" approach has a 62 percent success rate in achieving extremely low pressures (avg. 13.4 mmHg). Because the cataract removal also helps open the drainage angle, 80 percent of these patients need zero drops post-operatively.
Canaloplasty is statistically safer than traditional trabeculectomy. Data indicates that the risk of dangerously low eye pressure (hypotony) is nearly zero with Canaloplasty, compared to 10?15 percent in trabeculectomy. Additionally, because there is no external "bleb," the risk of late-stage infection is 90 percent lower.
Canaloplasty is highly durable. Statistics show that 85 percent of successful procedures maintain their pressure-lowering effect at the 3-year mark. The rate of requiring an additional glaucoma procedure is only 4.9 percent. Overall vision-saving efficacy remains high over a 5-year period for the vast majority of patients.
Most glaucoma stents (like iStent) only open one tiny spot in the drainage system. Canaloplasty is a "360-degree" procedure; it uses a tiny catheter to go all the way around the eye's drainage canal, opening the entire system. In 2026, this "full-circle" approach is why Canaloplasty often provides better pressure lowering than a single stent.
Yes. The procedure typically involves placing a microscopic "tension suture" inside the canal that keeps it propped open forever. Data shows that the pressure-lowering effects are stable for 3 to 5 years and beyond for the majority of patients.
Recovery is very fast. Because there are no stitches on the outside of the eye and no "bleb," most patients can return to normal activities within 48 hours. Your vision may be slightly blurry for a few days as the drainage system re-opens, but it usually clears in a week.
If you have open-angle glaucoma and are tired of the side effects of eye drops, ask your doctor if you are a candidate for "Ab-Interno" Canaloplasty. See a specialist immediately if you experience a dull ache or sudden blurring after surgery, as some patients (approx. 2%) experience a temporary "pressure spike" that needs a quick adjustment in eye drops.