As with prior meetings, it was a daunting task to seek and obtain consensus on a broad subject matter for which there are so many different opinions. As it is unclear how each of us decides how we practice and the evidence to guide us often is sparse, this consensus — as well as the others — is based not only on the published literature, but also on expert opinion. Although consensus does not replace and is not a surrogate for scientific investigation, it does provide considerable value, especially when the desired evidence is lacking.

The goal of this consensus is to provide a foundation for glaucoma surgery and how it can be best done in clinical practice. Identification of those areas for which we have little evidence, and therefore the need for additional research, always is a high priority. We hope that this consensus report will serve as a benchmark of our understanding of what is known and what we would like to know. However, this Consensus Report is expected to be just a beginning that will be revised and improved with the emergence of new evidence, and new and improved surgical procedures."