Laser Iridotomy
Laser iridotomy for glaucoma
Laser iridotomy uses a very focused beam of light to create a hole on the
outer edge, or rim, of the iris, the colored part of the eye. This opening
allows fluid (aqueous
humor) to flow between the anterior chamber, the front part of
the eye, and the area behind the iris, the posterior chamber. This opening
may decrease pressure in the eye and usually prevents sudden buildup of
pressure within the eye, which occurs during an episode of acute
closed-angle glaucoma.
Some people feel a sensation of heat in the eye during laser surgeries. But
there usually is no pain after laser iridotomy.
|
Why it is done? |
 |
| Laser iridotomy is used to: |
·
Treat
closed-angle glaucoma after the
pressure in the affected eye has been reduced with medicine or when
medicines fail.
·
Prevent closed-angle glaucoma in people who have narrow
drainage angles and those people
who have had closed-angle glaucoma in their other eye.
How well it works
Laser iridotomy can prevent further episodes of sudden (acute) closed-angle
glaucoma.
Laser iridotomy can usually prevent slow-forming (subacute) closed-angle
glaucoma in people who are at risk for closed-angle glaucoma.
Sometimes people can take less medicine to treat glaucoma after having laser
iridotomy.
Risks
Complications of laser iridotomy may include:
·
Brief blurred vision (common).
·
Swelling of the clear covering (cornea) of the iris.
·
Bleeding of a blood vessel in the iris
·
Increased pressure in the eye.
·
Closure of the new opening. A second surgery might be needed if the new
opening closes.
·
Burn to the inner lining of the eye (retinal burn). This is a very rare
complication.
Later complications that may develop include:
·
Worsening of clouding of the lens (cataract) that was present before laser
treatment.
·
Closure of the opening.
·
Recurrent closed-angle glaucoma.
·
Development of another type of glaucoma.
·
Continuing need for medicines (depends on the person's condition before
laser treatment).
·
Glare from light entering through the new opening.
After the treatment
Closed-angle glaucoma usually affects both eyes over time. When sudden
(acute) closed-angle glaucoma occurs in one eye and laser surgery has been
done on that eye, laser iridotomy is usually done on the other eye to
prevent the condition from developing. Without treatment, there is a 50%
chance that closed-angle glaucoma will also develop in the unaffected eye.
To
make an appointment with an eyecare professional at
iSIGHT please phone 0845 602 2517