Treating Glaucoma

A procedure used to treat a closed-angle glaucoma or to prevent a seizure. By utilizing laser, a round opening is formed in the iris to provide a connection between the anterior and posterior atrium, thereby assisting in the drainage of the atrium water. Treatment is in anesthesia and outpatient settings. The procedure is painless.

Procedure for reducing intraocular pressure in cases of open-angle glaucoma.

It is most often used when existing intraocular pressure eye drops are not effective enough or cause serious side effects.

However, this treatment may also be available as an initial therapy, e.g., if the patient does not want to use eye drops at all. Suitability for SLT must be preceded by a medical examination.

Laser treatment causes biological and chemical changes in the drainage system in the front part of the eye that result better drainage of fluid through the drain, thereby causing a decrease in intraocular pressure. In general, eye drops used for glaucoma can most be omitted after surgery. The effects of the laser treatment, i.e., improved vision, usually occurs 1 to 3 months after treatment.

The most common laser treatment for open-angle glaucoma is argon laser trabeculoplasty. This technique is used when we cannot control high intraocular pressure with eye drops or they cause serious side effects. The treatment is completely painless. After the application of anesthetic eye drops, a contact lens is placed on the eye.

By utilizing approximately 50-100 laser foci during 10-15 minutes of treatment, better fluid drainage is achieved. As a result of the treatment, the pressure in the eye decreases, but often the patient still needs a pressure reducing drop after ALT.

In the presence of an open-angle glaucoma, this revolutionary new technique –requiring minimal intervention – may be considered. Similarly, to the other procedures, the aim of this surgery is to reduce the pressure in the eye, thus eliminating the need for eye drops.

This is achieved by connecting the anterior chamber and the subconjunctival space (under the conjunctiva) with a small tube, called by micro-shunts or stents, that subsequently drains fluid. Treatment is performed under local anesthesia with an injection next to the eyeball. The tube remains in the patient's eyes, however, it may rarely become blocked years after the procedure, so it may be necessary to replace it.

If the glaucoma can no longer be treated in any other way, then trabeculectomy or filtration surgery may be considered.

The aim of the procedure is to drain the gradually forming fluid inside the eye through a newly created passage under the conjunctiva. This permanently functioning path ensures a reduction in intraocular pressure. Of course, this surgery does not cure the optic nerve damage that has already developed during the disease, but it does play an important role in preventing the disease from progressing.

The operation is performed under local anesthesia with an injection next to the eyeball. Patients may go home after the procedure, but a close follow-up date is definitely required.