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The conjunctiva (outer covering of eye) is removed with blunt scissors (A). The four rectus muscles are removed from their attachments to the eyeball (B). The optic nerve is severed (C), and the eyeball is removed. A synthetic globe replaces the eyeball in the socket, and the rectus muscles are sutured around it (D). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)

During a trabeculectomy, the patient's eye is held open with a speculum. The outer layer, or conjunctiva, and the white of the eye, or sclera, are cut open (A). A superficial scleral flap is created and a plug of sclera and underlying trabecular network is removed (B). This allows the fluid in the eye to circulate, relieving pressure. The scleral flap is closed and sutured (C). The conjunctiva is closed (D). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)

To repair a convergent gaze, the ophthalmogist cuts the muscles that move the eye from side to side (A). On one side, the muscles are attached further back on the eyeball (B). On the other, the muscle is shortened (C) and stitched (D). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)

In a scleral buckling procedure, one of the eye's rectus muscles are severed to gain access to the sclera (A). The sclera is cut open (B), and an electrode is applied to the area of retinal detachment (C). A silicone buckle is threaded into place beneath the rectus muscles (D), and the severed muscle is repaired. (Illustration by GGS Inc.)

For an iridectomy, an incision is made in the cornea just below the iris (A). A piece of the iris is removed (B). This allows fluid to flow between the areas to the front and rear of the iris (C). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)

In a corneal transplant, the eye is held open with a speculum (A). A laser is used to make an initial cut in the existing cornea (B). The surgeon uses scissors to remove it (C), and a donor cornea is placed (D). It is stitched with very fine sutures (E). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)

In extracapsular cataract extraction, an incision is made in the eye just beneath the iris, or colored part (A). The diseased lens is pulled out (B). A prosthetic intraocular lens is placed through the incision (D), and is opened to replace the old lens (E). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)

For cyclocryotherapy, the patient's eyelids are first retracted (A). A cryoprobe is applied to the outside of the eyeball in the area surrounding the iris (B). The probe freezes ciliary bodies in 50-60 seconds. The probe is applied to adjoining sites in a semicircle around the iris during one treatment (C). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)

Ophthalmologists treating a patient for cataracts using phacoemulsification. (Custom Medical Stock Photo. Reproduced by permission.)

In a phacoemulsification procedure, an incision is first made in the cornea, the outer covering of the eye (A). A phacoemulsification instrument uses ultrasonic waves to break up the cataract (B). Pieces of the cataract are then suctioned out (C). To repair the patient's vision, a folded intraocular lens is pushed through the same incision (D) and opened in place (E). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)