Procedures
Glaucoma Consultants provides a comprehensive array of surgeries, treatments and procedures for both glaucoma and cataracts. To find out more details on any of these procedures, click on the links below.
LASER TREATMENTS:
• Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
This laser procedure is used to treat glaucoma by reducing pressure in the eye. The SLT Laser uses an advanced laser system to target only specific cells of the eye-those containing melanin, a natural pigment. This allows for only these cells to be affected, leaving the surrounding tissue intact. The objective of the surgery is to help fluids drain out of the eye, reducing intraocular pressure that can cause damage to the optic nerve and loss of vision. Although the doctor may suggest surgery at any time, SLT is often performed after trying to control intraocular pressures with medications. In many cases you will need to continue to take medications even after laser surgery.
What to expect the day of treatment:
Your treatment will be performed in a specially equipped laser room. It does not require a surgery center. Once you have been checked in and settled comfortably, drops will be used to numb your eye;no injections or needles are used. When your eye is completely numb you will be brought into the laser room for the procedure. The entire procedure only takes a few minutes. Generally, the laser treatment does not cause pain. Some studies have shown that some patients experience a "sensation" during the treatment. You may see a green flash of light but feel nothing from the laser. The lens used on your eye may cause some redness or irritation.
Afterwards you will be asked to stay in the office for an hour so that we can recheck your pressure to assess the effectiveness of the laser treatment. You should relax for the rest of the day. Follow up visits are necessary to monitor your eye pressure. While it may take several weeks to months to reach the full pressure lowering effect of this procedure, during which time you may have to continue taking your eye drops, many patients are eventually able to discontinue some, if not all, of their eye drops.
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