LASER PERIPHERAL IRIDOTOMY

LPI may need to be done in patients with narrow angles, or angle closure glaucoma. In these eyes, the filtering system of the eye, the trabecular meshwork, is narrow and can be prone to completely closing. Picture a sink with a drain that is narrow or clogged. Fluid drains from the sink more slowly and can be prone to clogging up. If this occurs in the eye it leads to a traumatic attack of vision loss, severe pain, nausea. Vision loss can be permanent. The laser is used to create a passageway of aqueous fluid flow from the posterior chamber of the eye to the anterior chamber in the eye. The passageway created by the laser can help to prevent complete closure of the trabecular meshwork.   

 

The procedure is done in office, only one eye at a time and usually takes a few minutes. There may be some pain and headache that are associated with the procedure. The doctor will likely prescribe drops to take a few days after the procedure, but otherwise there are no restrictions.