Your Optician may identify signs of a narrow anterior chamber angle and refer you to one of our consultant ophthalmologists. The angle may intermittently close to cause symptoms including halos around lights, eye pain and headaches.

A YAG Iridotomy is the recommended treatment to prevent angle closure. A tiny hole (typically 50-100 microns wide) is made in an area of iris above the pupil (the coloured part of the eye) using pulses of low-energy laser. This minute hole creates a new channel for aqueous fluid to pass through; opening up the drainage angle and lowering the eye pressure. The hole is typically made on an area of iris that is covered by the top eyelid to prevent any visual side effects. This is an outpatient procedure and you can return home as soon as it is complete. You may be given a course of anti-inflammatory drops to take at home. Our team of patient coordinators will then contact you to book a follow-up appointment within a suitable time span.

SLT is a treatment available to patients with early-stage open angle glaucoma. It may remove the burden of eye drops and their associated side effects or act in combination with medicated drops to boost the effect. Short pulses of low energy light are targeted at melanin-rich cells in the trabecular meshwork. The treatment is “selective” by impacting only these specific cells and not the surrounding tissue. In response to the laser, white blood cells are drawn to clear the area and initiate rebuilding of the meshwork tissue. Available literature records a success rate of 78% with the full impact of the treatment often not expected for 8 weeks. The procedure itself takes approximately 10-15 minutes and your consultant ophthalmologist will apply numbing eye drops to ensure you are comfortable.

YAG PI is a low risk procedure with a high success rate. On occasion, the small hole may partly or entirely heal over and require a top-up treatment. SLT is also considered to be a low-risk procedure. Main complications include no improvement in IOP reduction, transient blurring and inflammation. SLT is not a permanent solution and top-up treatment may be required after 2-3 years. All procedures carry some degree of risk and you will be fully informed of all matters relating to the procedure by your Laser Vision ophthalmologist.

Laser procedures are performed using numbing eye drops. At most, you may feel a mild discomfort.