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Although there is great effectiveness with antiglaucoma drugs,
sometimes the medication is not enough to lower intraocular
pressure, and in some other cases application and/or compliance
from the patient side may be problematic.
In these cases, different laser techniques that increase aqueous
outflow from the eye can be used.
In
primary open angle glaucoma
the laser acts directly at the
drainage system of the angle, causing dynamic changes which
increase its effectiveness.
Apart from the traditional
“Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty”
(ALT),
in the last few years
“Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty”
(SLT) has
been used with great effect, having the great advantages of not
destroying tissue in the drainage system and repeatability. In every
case these procedures are done as an out patients procedure, taking
only a few minutes.
In
acute closed angle glaucoma
a special laser is used to open a hole
in the iris periphery and create a new passageway for the aqueous,
immediately dropping the intraocular pressure this way.
Laser treatment
Comparison of the effect of the 2 types of laser used to improve the
drainage system of the eye. ALT causes burns and scars that do not
permit retreatment. SLT does not cause such immense structural
changes, so that retreatment if necessary can be executed.
Photographs from the electron microscope
