Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma occurs because there is an increased resistance in the mircroscropic channels where fluid drains from the eye, resulting in increased eye pressure.The pressure results in damage to the nerve fibres that bring visual information from the retina to the brain through the optic nerve.High pressure in the eye can lead to gradual blindness.Certain types of glaucoma are treated by a procedure known as Laser Trabeculoplasty (LTP).

Who is a candidate for LTP, and what is its success rate?

Laser eye treatment is suitable with most patients who have typical open-angle glaucoma. In a few cases it may be possible to no longer need eye drops, however, most will have to continue with drops. In these cases the laser is used to reduce the eye pressure when drops alone are insufficient.

The laser utilizes a precise emission of light energy to the channels that drain inside the eye. Each burst of laser energy unblocks the tiny holes in the meshwork. Later contraction near the burns stretches the microscopic channels, allowing increased drainage, decreasing the pressure.

What is the LTP Process?

The Glaucoma laser therapy is carried out in consulting rooms at Vision Eye Institute. You do not need to be admitted with the Day Unit for LTP. When you arrive, you will put special drops in your eye to constrict the pupil and reduce the pressure. The take 15 minutes to take effect, and may produce a small ache around the eye but normally settles within 30 minutes. The actual laser eye procedure only takes five minutes. Your eye pressure will be taken after 2 hours to ensure there is no elevation which may require more drops or tablets.

The laser treatment is done on a special laser microscope just like the slit lamp used in general examination. Local anaesthetic drops are also utilised, and a laser lens is put on your eye as to focus the laser beam. Around 30-50 bursts of the laser are necessary. Each burst is painless or may feel like a small prick of a pin. After the treatment, you may feel as if your eyes are blurred for a short time. 

After treatment, you will want to use anti- inflammatory drops 4 times a day for a week in the treated eye.Each eye will require between two to three sessions of treatment to complete the procedure as only one third to one half of the drainage angle is lasered in each session to prevent a spike in pressure. During this time and until your doctor directs you otherwise, you should continue to use your regular glaucoma drops as usual.