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Patient PortalABiC (iTrack) Canaloplasty
A minimally invasive procedure that restores your eye's natural drainage pathway to improve glaucoma control.
What is ABiC Canaloplasty?
ABiC (ABiC = Ab Interno Canaloplasty) is a microscopic procedure that restores function to your eye's natural drain (Schlemm's canal). Using a special micro-catheter (iTrack), your surgeon gently opens up the canal by injecting a soft viscoelastic (gel) to keep it open. This rejuvenates your eye's natural drainage and lowers pressure without creating a new opening or implant.
Unlike earlier MIGS procedures, ABiC directly addresses the root of the problem: restoring the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal to their natural function. Because it preserves anatomy and does not create blebs or implants, it has lower complication risk and exceptional safety.
When is ABiC appropriate? ABiC is ideal for patients with mild to moderate glaucoma who want to reduce their eye drops or achieve additional pressure control. It works well in patients with normal trabecular anatomy and adequate Schlemm's canal. It is not recommended for advanced glaucoma or when very aggressive pressure reduction is needed.
What to expect — Before, During, and After
Before the procedure: You will receive general anesthesia or IV sedation. You will be asleep or deeply sedated throughout. Your eye will be positioned, sterilized, and prepped.
During the procedure: The surgeon makes a small opening in the eye and navigates a micro-catheter (about the width of a human hair) into Schlemm's canal. The canal is gently dilated and viscoelastic is injected to keep it open. The catheter is removed and the incision is closed with a single small suture. Total time is about 15 minutes.
After the procedure: You may experience mild soreness and blurred vision as inflammation subsides. You will use antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drops for a few weeks. Early hazy vision from blood reflux in the canal is normal and usually a good sign of successful restoration of drainage.
Recovery timeline
- Day 1: Mild discomfort and blurriness. Use prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drops. Limit strenuous activities for 1 week.
- Week 1: First postop visit. Vision improving. Some early haze from blood reflux in the canal is expected and is actually a good sign of successful drainage restoration.
- 1 month: Second postop exam. Evaluate pressure response and bleb appearance (if present). Continue antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops as directed.
- 3 months: Final postop assessment. Pressure response is typically evident by this time. A hypertensive phase (temporarily elevated pressure) may occur and can be managed medically. Return to routine glaucoma schedule.
Hypertensive phase: Some patients experience a temporary rise in pressure 4-8 weeks after ABiC before it eventually normalizes. This is managed with additional drops and resolves in most patients within weeks to months. Notify us immediately if you experience severe pain or sudden vision changes.
Your Follow-up Schedule
ABiC requires regular early follow-up to monitor pressure response and manage any hypertensive phase. Because the procedure preserves natural anatomy, follow-up is simpler than with implant-based procedures.
What we monitor
- Intraocular pressure and response to procedure
- Inflammation and healing
- Any hypertensive phase (temporary pressure rise)
- Canal patency and function
- Visual acuity and any corneal effects
Our Outcomes — What EPSAZ Patients Experience
Here is what we see in our database of 1,853 patients who had ABiC, followed for 12 months:
Why this matters: ABiC offers one of the safest approaches to glaucoma surgery. By restoring natural drainage, it preserves your anatomy and offers durable, long-term pressure control with minimal complications.