second trab for glaucoma

I am 30 years old, have been on every type of eye medication, had a trabeculectomy, two bleb needlings, and seen over 12 specialists for glaucoma in the past 6 years. My doctor wants me to have a second trab done instead of tube implants (all of this is in one eye except meds are in both). Does anyone have any suggestions if I should do this or if I really have any other options?  My doctor said once I have a tube they cant go back & do another trab, so doing a second trab first will "buy me some time" since everything I do only lasts a little while and I am younger than most glaucoma patients. Please give any advice/suggestions on my situation. I have lost about 75% of visioin in one eye already so I want to do what is right!!!!!!!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

First realize you have an extremely serious problem and are likely in the worst 1% for glaucoma damage. Second without all those medicine, all those consults, all those surgeries you likely would be stone blind in one or both eye.  I think you should go with the recommendation of the glaucoma specialist Eye MD you have the most confidence in and wish to follow up with in the future.  If you still can't decide then get a third opinion to break the tie. Remember that there are two ways to approach the problem and that doesn't mean that one method is wrong, they both are trying to lower your IOP to single digets.

JCH MD

[not2alone]

Thank you very much for your advice.  I do realize the position I am in and that I will be dealing with this forever, I just want each step along the way to be a good choice and there are so many doctors and opinions that I do not know who to have faith in sometimes. ( I saw a few MDs there at Washington U in St. Louis a few years ago).  It has been a difficult road but I do realize it is all necessary. Thank you again and if you have any other advice/opinions I would love to hear them!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Good luck. WU is world famous in glaucoma.
JCH