Is Laser Surgery Right for Glaucoma?
For many people living with glaucoma, vision changes can sneak up slowly over time. Eye drops and other medications can help keep things under control, but sometimes they're not enough.
Laser surgery has become an increasingly common and effective option for glaucoma care. But is laser surgery right for everyone?
How Glaucoma Affects Your Vision
Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects your optic nerve, the part of your eye that sends signals to your brain. This usually happens when pressure builds up inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure. If the pressure buildup is left untreated, it can slowly lead to permanent vision loss. Because glaucoma often develops without noticeable symptoms early on, many people don’t realize they have it until significant vision changes occur.
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower the pressure and protect the optic nerve from further damage. For some, this can be achieved with prescription eye drops or oral medications. However, when these methods are no longer enough, laser surgery may be recommended.
What Is Laser Surgery for Glaucoma?
Laser surgery uses focused light energy to either improve the eye’s fluid drainage or reduce the amount of fluid produced inside the eye. Both approaches effectively and safely lower eye pressure.
There are several types of laser procedures commonly used to treat glaucoma:
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT): Helps open the drainage system in the eye to reduce pressure, often used for open-angle glaucoma.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI): Creates a tiny hole in the iris (the colored part of your eye) to help fluid to flow more freely, typically used for angle-closure glaucoma.
Cyclophotocoagulation: Reduces fluid production in more advanced cases.
Each laser technique distinctly targets the problem. The best choice depends on the type and stage of glaucoma, as well as the patient’s overall eye health.
Benefits of Laser Surgery for Glaucoma
Laser surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that can often be performed in an outpatient setting. Patients usually return home the same day, and recovery tends to be quick.
Benefits for this kind of surgery include:
Reduced intraocular pressure: Helps protect the optic nerve and slow vision loss.
Less dependence on medication: Many patients can reduce or eliminate daily eye drops.
Quick recovery: Most experience minimal discomfort and resume normal activities within a day or two.
Repeatable results: Some laser treatments can be repeated safely if pressure rises again.
Laser procedures such as SLT are just as effective as medication for lowering eye pressure in many patients.
Is Laser Surgery Right for Everyone?
While laser surgery is highly effective, it may not be suitable for everyone. The decision depends on factors such as:
The type and severity of glaucoma
How well current treatments are controlling eye pressure
The patient’s overall eye health and anatomy
Previous response to medications or procedures
Patients with advanced optic nerve damage or very high eye pressure may require additional surgery or a combination of treatments. A thorough eye exam and consultation with an ophthalmologist can help determine the most appropriate course of care.
What to Expect After Laser Surgery
After the procedure, patients may experience slight redness, mild irritation, and light sensitivity for a short time. Prescription anti-inflammatory drops are typically used for a few days to aid healing and prevent inflammation.
Follow-up visits are essential to monitor eye pressure and ensure that the treatment is working as expected. Some individuals may still need medications to maintain stable eye pressure, but laser surgery can often reduce the dosage or number of prescriptions required.
Taking a Step Toward Better Eye Health
Laser surgery offers a safe and effective way to manage glaucoma for many patients who no longer respond adequately to medication alone. With proper evaluation and ongoing care, this advanced treatment can help preserve vision and improve quality of life.
Expert Glaucoma Care at Aloha Eye
If you are exploring glaucoma treatment options, Aloha Eye provides expert care through personalized diagnosis, advanced technology, and surgical precision. Their experienced ophthalmologists evaluate each patient’s unique needs to determine whether laser surgery is the right approach.