The laser used for Glaucoma Laser Treatment in Honolulu is an extremely powerful and concentrated beam of light, the energy of which can cut or burn human tissue. This laser is an ideal instrument because the eye is formed of transparent structures that let the light emitted by the laser pass well. The main advantage is that the surgeon can perform eye surgery without making an incision, which eliminates the risk of infection and limits the risk of eye bleeding.
Is laser eye surgery painful?
Laser surgery is generally painless and does not cause any visible scars. It is not necessary to hospitalize the patient because the operation takes place under simple local anesthesia. The laser, however, can sometimes be responsible for mild inflammation that is often transient and well controlled by local anti-inflammatory therapy.
Acute glaucoma treatment
In an acute angle closure Glaucoma Laser Treatment in Honolulu, the iris blocks the intraocular circulation of the aqueous humor, which is the fluid that gives the eye its tone. The iris, which gives color to the eye, is the diaphragm that controls the amount of light that reaches the retina. The laser that treats acute glaucoma is the YAG laser, and it’s used to make a hole in the iris, also called laser iridotomy. The patient is situated behind a machine that fires the laser beam while the doctor focuses several beams in the same place to make the hole in the iris.
During the entire procedure, the patient must remain motionless because an inadvertent movement of the eye could be detrimental. However, the procedure is usually simple and can treat acute glaucoma in one sitting. In some cases, fortunately rare, the laser proves ineffective, and it is then necessary to perform a surgical procedure called an iridectomy.
Chronic glaucoma
In patients with chronic glaucoma, the increase in ocular pressure is due to a decrease in trabecular mesh sponginess. Ocular hypertension usually occurs gradually, painlessly, and is imperceptible to the patient. In chronic glaucoma, the laser is applied directly to the trabeculum, which contracts under the effect of heat. Visit Hawaii Vision Clinic for further details.
