Glaucoma is a severe condition in which the optic nerve becomes damaged. In turn, progressive, irreversible vision loss happens as a result. The good news is that through laser eye surgery for glaucoma, a patient’s condition can be remedied to a certain degree. Let’s take a moment to learn a little about laser eye surgery for glaucoma.
What Is Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty?
Used to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma, selective laser trabeculoplasty is typically used when medications are not lowering the eye pressure enough, or the patient is suffering from too many side effects. A patient may be a candidate for SLT if they have primary or secondary open-angle glaucoma, and they need their intraocular pressure lowered. It is important to note that this FDA-approved procedure is not a cure for glaucoma, but a treatment for it.
What to Expect
One great thing about laser eye surgery for glaucoma is that it doesn’t require you to be hospitalized, nor does it require you to change your normal daily activities. This in-office procedure has a very low-risk of having serious complications.
Eye drops are used for anesthesia. The doctor sets you up in front of the laser and places a mirrored contact lens on your eye. During laser surgery for glaucoma, you won’t experience pain, only an occasional sensation that is similar to a pinprick. When the procedure is complete, the contact lens is removed, and your eye will be rinsed out. Eye pressure will be monitored, and more eye drops will be given.
Recovering from Laser Eye Surgery for Glaucoma
Arrange to have someone drive you home from your surgery. Generally speaking, patients who receive laser eye surgery can resume their normal daily activities the very next day after their surgery has been performed.
Long-Term Benefits
Having laser eye surgery for glaucoma works to lower the intraocular pressure present in the eye. There are many different factors that determine the length of time that the intraocular pressure will remain low. This depends on the type of laser surgery performed, the type of glaucoma that was treated, race, age, and other factors. In some cases, the surgery may need to be repeated for this pressure to be controlled more effectively. Most of the time, medications are still needed for eye pressure to be controlled and maintained. However, after surgery, the amount of medicine needed may be less than without surgery.
