The 532 nm laser can be used to perform laser trabeculoplasty. In this procedure a particular area around the drainage angle of the eye is targeted to try and increase the drainage of fluid from the eye and hence reduce the pressure. Trabeculoplasty is often tried before resorting to formal surgery and after glaucoma drops have been shown to be insufficient to control glaucoma.
The procedure involves temporarily putting a contact lens on to the surface the eye (your eye will be numb from anaesthetic drops). The laser is fired through the contact lens at the drainage angle of the eye to increase the fluid drainage. You should feel no pain but you will see a bright light each time the laser is fired.
The procedure takes approximately ten to fifteen minutes and should be painless.
After trabeculoplasty you may be asked to put some drops in your eyes to try and help control any inflammation as a result of the laser and these would be required to be used for up to two weeks.
Your normal glaucoma treatment would remain unchanged.
You should be able to drive the following day if you are able to read a car number plate at 25 yards.
You can wear your normal clothes for the procedure.
Following any laser treatments the effectiveness of the laser requires to be evaluated and you will be asked to return for a check up. The timing of this check up will depend on the condition of your eye.
You do not necessarily require to be accompanied for the laser.
Laser trabeculoplasty sometimes has no discernable effect and does not work in everyone. It also may not reduce the intraocular pressure for a very long time.