canaloplasty is an eye surgery designed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in certain types of glaucoma. It works by improving the eye’s natural fluid drainage pathway rather than creating a new drainage hole. It is most commonly used for open-angle glaucoma and is sometimes combined with cataract surgery. It is considered a “bleb-less” approach because it typically does not aim to form a filtering bleb under the eyelid.

goniotomy is an eye surgery that treats certain types of glaucoma by improving fluid drainage from inside the eye. It involves opening part of the eye’s natural drainage tissue in the front chamber angle. It is commonly discussed in pediatric glaucoma care and in modern minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) for adults. The goal is usually to lower intraocular pressure (IOP), the pressure inside the eye.

Kahook Dual Blade is a single-use microsurgical blade used in glaucoma surgery. It is designed to remove a strip of tissue from the eye’s internal drainage pathway. It is most commonly used during minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). It may be performed alone or combined with cataract surgery in appropriate cases.

Trabectome is a surgical device used to treat certain types of glaucoma by improving fluid outflow from the eye. It is commonly used in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) performed from inside the eye. The goal is to lower intraocular pressure (IOP), which is a major risk factor for glaucoma progression. It is often considered in people whose glaucoma is not adequately controlled with drops alone.

PreserFlo MicroShunt is a small implanted glaucoma drainage device designed to lower eye pressure. It creates a controlled pathway for fluid inside the eye to exit to the outer surface tissues. It is most commonly used in the surgical management of glaucoma, especially when drops alone are not enough. It is implanted by an ophthalmologist in an operating-room setting.

XEN gel stent is a tiny implanted tube used in glaucoma care to help lower eye pressure. It creates a new pathway for fluid to drain from inside the eye to the outer eye tissues. It is most commonly discussed within minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). It is typically used by glaucoma specialists in an operating room or surgical center setting.

Hydrus Microstent is a tiny implant used in certain glaucoma surgeries. It is designed to help lower eye pressure by improving fluid drainage inside the eye. It is most commonly placed during cataract surgery in people who also have open-angle glaucoma.

iStent is a tiny implanted device used in glaucoma care to help lower eye pressure. It is placed inside the eye’s drainage angle to improve fluid outflow. It is commonly used as a form of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). It is often performed at the same time as cataract surgery in selected patients.

minimally invasive glaucoma surgery is a group of modern procedures designed to lower eye pressure in glaucoma. It aims to improve the eye’s fluid drainage using small incisions and minimal tissue disruption. It is most commonly used for open-angle glaucoma, often at the time of cataract surgery. It is considered an option when eye drops and laser treatments are not enough or are difficult to maintain.

MIGS stands for **minimally invasive glaucoma surgery**. It refers to a group of **small-incision surgical procedures** designed to help lower **intraocular pressure (IOP)**. MIGS is most commonly used for **glaucoma**, especially mild to moderate disease. Many MIGS procedures are performed **at the time of cataract surgery**, though some are done on their own.

A punctal plug is a small medical device placed into the tear drainage opening of the eyelid. It is used to slow tear drainage so the eye surface stays moist longer. It is most commonly used in dry eye disease and related ocular surface conditions. It may be inserted temporarily to “trial” tear drainage blockage or used longer term, depending on the type.

eyelid scrubs are lid-hygiene products used to clean the eyelid margins (the edge of the eyelids where lashes grow). They are commonly used as part of care for blepharitis and dry eye conditions linked to the eyelids. They can be used at home or as part of an eye clinic’s treatment plan. They are not the same as eye drops and are not placed directly into the eye.

A dry eye flare is a period when dry eye symptoms suddenly worsen compared with a person’s usual baseline. It is commonly used in clinics to describe episodic “bad days” within dry eye disease (DED). The term helps patients and clinicians communicate changes in comfort, vision, and eye surface irritation. It also highlights that triggers and inflammation can temporarily intensify a chronic condition.

A dacryolith is a small “stone” or concretion that forms within the tear drainage system. It can block normal tear outflow and contribute to watering, discharge, or infection. The term is most commonly used in ophthalmology (and sometimes ENT) when evaluating tearing complaints. It may be identified during an eye exam, irrigation/testing of the tear ducts, imaging, or surgery.

dacryostenosis means narrowing (stenosis) of part of the tear drainage system. It commonly refers to blockage in the nasolacrimal duct, which drains tears into the nose. It is a frequent reason for watery eyes and recurrent discharge. The term is used in eye clinics, pediatric care, and oculoplastic (eyelid/tear-duct) practice.

dacryocystitis is inflammation and usually infection of the lacrimal sac (the tear drainage “bag” near the inner corner of the eye). It most often happens when the tear drainage pathway is blocked and fluid builds up. The term is commonly used in eye clinics and emergency settings to describe a specific cause of painful inner-corner swelling and tearing. It is relevant to both patient symptoms and clinical decision-making in ophthalmology.

canaliculitis is an inflammation, usually due to infection, of the canaliculi (small tear-drainage channels) in the eyelids. It most often involves the canaliculus near the inner corner of the eye where tears enter the drainage system. The term is commonly used in ophthalmology and optometry when evaluating persistent tearing or chronic eyelid discharge. It can mimic common conditions like conjunctivitis, so clear identification matters in clinical practice.

punctal stenosis is a narrowing of the tiny tear-drain openings (puncta) on the eyelid margin. It commonly leads to watery eyes because tears cannot drain normally into the nose. It is a diagnosis discussed in eye clinics when evaluating tearing, irritation, or chronic eyelid inflammation. It is also a concept taught in ophthalmology and optometry when learning the tear drainage system.

nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a blockage in the tear drainage pathway from the eye to the nose. It commonly causes watery eyes because tears cannot drain normally. The term is used in eye clinics, emergency care, and pediatrics when evaluating tearing and discharge. It can be present at birth or develop later in life.