Lasers and Glaucoma
There is considerable confusion among patients and the general public about laser treatments and the eye. There are at least 6 different lasers that can be used to treat eye disorders or diseases. Since LASIK has become popular and often discussed in the media and advertised on the radio, people think LASIK can cure all kinds of eye problems. Each laser treatment in ophthalmology has significant advantages over older surgical techniques that often required going to the operating room for the procedure.
A laser is a special beam of light (or electromagnetic wave) created in a controlled environment with special equipment. Lasers are more powerful than regular lights and can be set to different colors or wavelengths to treat different types of problems. Advantages of Lasers over older technology are the ability to do treatments right in the office.
General Ophthalmology Lasers
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LASIK – uses a laser to peel away or remove layers of the cornea (front window of the eye) and by changing the curvature of the cornea makes it so you don’t have to wear glasses or contact lenses anymore
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YAG Laser Capsulotomy – opens a clear window in the cloudy memebrane that sometime develops after cataract surgery
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Argon Laser Retinopexy – causes small burn scars in the retina to prevent a retinal detachment from developing
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Pan-Retinal Photocoagulation – prevents diabetic retinopathy from causing blindness
Glaucoma Lasers
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SLT – selective laser Trabeculoplasty. Lowers the eye pressure to help reduce risk of further nerve injury
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ALT – argon laser Trabeculoplasty. Older technology version of SLT.
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Iridotomy – makes a hole in the iris to allow fluid to circulate and prevent angle closure from developing.
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Iridoplasty – makes burns on the surface of the iris to mechanically pull the iris away from the drain (trabecular meshwork)
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