Laser
Performed in clinic/office
SLT - Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
- Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty is an outpatient laser procedure performed in the office to lower intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma. This type of laser is not invasive and is performed at the microscope, similar to the one your doctor uses to examine you.
- Prior to the procedure, your eye is numbed with a topical anesthetic drop, a contact lens is placed and the laser is then targeted to the pigmented trabecular meshwork (part of the drainage angle through which fluid drains out of the eye) in an effort to promote fluid outflow and lower intraocular pressure. Once the laser is completed, you will need to wait a certain period for your eye pressure to be checked again. There are no restrictions after the laser but some patients may experience mild symptoms of blurry vision, mild discomfort, and sensitivity to light for the first couple of days after the procedure. You will be given anti-inflammatory drops after the procedure for a few days and a time to return for a follow-up visit in 4-6 weeks, which is how long it takes for the laser to be fully effective.
- This laser is a safe and effective procedure used in many patients with ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma to lower intraocular pressure as well as delay surgery and can be repeated if necessary.
LPI - Laser Peripheral Iridotomy
- This procedure is often performed in patients with anatomically narrow angles, and those with closed-angle glaucoma (acute or chronic). In closed-angle glaucoma, the angle is closed in many or most areas causing increased eye pressure which leads to optic nerve damage and possible vision loss. This increase in pressure can occur gradually over time (chronic angle closure glaucoma) or suddenly (acute attack of angle closure). There are also precursor forms of the disease (anatomic narrow angles) in which the angle is closed or very narrow but the pressure is normal and the optic nerve is not yet affected.
- Laser peripheral iridotomy works by creating a small opening in the outer edge of the iris which helps to open the drainage angle and enhance the fluid outflow.
- The procedure is performed by first placing some drops to constrict the pupil and stretch the iris. Then a numbing drop is instilled, a contact lens is placed on your eye and the laser is aimed to create a small microscopic opening in your peripheral iris. The procedure usually takes about 2-5 minutes to perform and some patients may experience minor pain or discomfort. After the laser, you will be asked to wait a period of time and your pressure will be checked again. You will be given anti-inflammatory drops to use for a few days and a time to return for your follow-up visit. Some patients can experience blurry vision, mild redness of the eye, sensitivity to light, and mild discomfort after the procedure, which usually improves after a few days.
- Laser peripheral iridotomy is a safe and effective method of opening up the drainage angle and ensuring that the fluid inside (aqueous humor) can flow out properly.