If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma and your prescription eye drops aren’t lowering your pressure enough or alleviating your symptoms, your eye doctor may recommend glaucoma laser surgery to relieve eye pressure and slow the progression of the disease.
Glaucoma is a sight-threatening condition that most often occurs when too much pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve. Unless the pressure can be lowered to the normal range, it can lead to ‘tunnel vision,’ a loss of peripheral vision, or blindness.
While there’s no way to reverse vision loss caused by glaucoma, there are a number of treatments, including laser surgeries, that can lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) and help preserve your vision.
To learn more or to book your consultation, contact in LOCATION1 today.
What Is Glaucoma Laser Treatment?
Glaucoma laser treatments are non-invasive and usually performed in-clinic at . The most effective way to lower eye pressure is to facilitate the outflow of eye fluid.
To accomplish this, the ophthalmologist uses a laser to create new drainage channels or to expand the existing outflow channels in the eye. As fluid leaves, pressure in the eye decreases.
The two main types of glaucoma laser procedures are selective laser trabeculoplasty and laser peripheral iridotomy.
Laser Trabeculoplasty
If the drainage system of your eye – the trabecular meshwork, the area between the iris and the cornea – is still open but not allowing enough fluid to flow (open-angle glaucoma), your ophthalmologist will perform laser trabeculoplasty. The procedure involves focusing a laser on the trabecular meshwork to stimulate the removal of fluid from the eye.
Before the procedure, your eye surgeon will apply numbing drops to your eyes. Following the procedure, your eye doctor will prescribe eye drops to relieve any inflammation or any discomfort.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy
Laser peripheral iridotomy treats closed-angle glaucoma, which occurs when the drainage channels of the eye become blocked. This causes pressure inside the eye to suddenly spike— this is dangerous and is considered a medical emergency.
To relieve eye pressure, the eye surgeon will use a laser to open up existing drainage systems by making a microscopic hole in the iris.
As with other laser eye procedures, the eye surgeon will apply numbing drops before the surgery. Following laser peripheral iridotomy you may experience:
- Blurry vision
- Inflammation
- Visual distortions
These symptoms usually subside after a few days or weeks. It’s important to attend all follow-up eye exams after laser surgery so your LOCATION1 eye doctor can assess how well your eyes are healing and whether the pressure has been successfully lowered.
If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma and if prescription eye drops aren’t working for you, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at . We make your vision our top priority and proudly provide eye care services to patients in LOCATION1.
Q&A
Is laser surgery for glaucoma safe and effective?
Although complications can occur with any type of surgery, glaucoma laser surgery is safe and effective. Around 80% of glaucoma patients who have a trabeculoplasty report a reduction in their symptoms. Some patients experience side effects, such as blurred vision or corneal dryness, but many of these side effects go away within a few days or weeks.
Are the results of laser surgery for glaucoma permanent?
Glaucoma laser surgery, such as trabeculoplasty, can reduce eye pressure for 1-3 years. Although you’re likely to need follow-up laser surgery, between procedures your eye pressure is likely to be much lower and your glaucoma symptoms reduced.
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