Laser treatment

Laser Trabeculoplasty (LTP) is an advanced laser technique used to treat open-angle glaucoma.

Who can have it and how successful is it?

Laser treatment usually reserved for elderly patients who are unable to undergo glaucoma surgery. In some patients it is possible to stop eye drops after laser treatment, however most will need to continue with drops. In these cases the laser is used to reduce the eye pressure when drops alone are insufficient.

The laser delivers a precise burst of light energy to the drainage channels inside the eye. Each burst of laser energy unblocks the tiny holes in the meshwork. Subsequent contraction around the burns further 'pulls' or 'stretches' the microscopic channels, increasing drainage of fluid and decreasing pressure.

How is it done?

The laser treatment is performed in a consulting room admission to the Day Surgery Unit is not required. On arrival you will have drops instilled into your eye to constrict the pupil and reduce the pressure. These take 15 minutes to work and can produce a mild ache around the eye. This usually settles after 30 minutes. The actual laser procedure takes only 5 minutes. Your eye pressure will be taken after 2 hours to ensure there is no elevation which may require more drops or tablets.

The treatment is performed on a laser microscope similar to the slit lamp used for your general examination. Local anaesthetic drops are used and a laser lens is placed on your eye to allow for microscopic focusing of the laser beam. Approximately 30-50 bursts of laser are used which are painless or feel like a 'pin-prick'. Your vision may be blurred for a short time.

After treatment

To reduce any inflammation, anti-inflammatory drops are used 4 times a day for one week in the treated eye. Keep the bottle as it can be used after subsequent treatments. Only one third to one half of the drainage angle is lasered at one session to prevent a pressure spike, so there are usually 2 to 3 sessions per eye. Continue with all your regular glaucoma drops to both eyes unless instructed to cease them.