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Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty
The word "laser" is an acronym. It stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is a beam of light energy that has very special properties. It is said to be "coherent." This means that all of the light waves or particles are traveling in the same rhythm. Special crystals, gases, lenses and mirrors help to enhance the properties of a laser. In addition, all of the light waves from a particular laser are of the same wavelength, or color. Because of these special properties, laser light is much more powerful than regular light. Lasers are used in surgery because their power can be harnessed to cut, burn, vaporize or destroy different tissues.
Lasers have been used in eye surgery for more than thirty years. There are distinct advantages to laser eye surgery over conventional surgery. Because the laser light can pass through the cornea to be concentrated inside the eye, a surgical opening does not need to be made in the eyeball. This greatly decreases the risk of infection and bleeding. Because of this decreased risk, laser procedures usually do not need to be performed in an operating room. Recovery time is reduced and people do not need to restrict their activities after surgery.
There are many eye conditions that can be treated with lasers. Glaucoma is a common condition, with up to 2% of adults over the age of 40 having glaucoma. Many people with glaucoma are not aware that they have the condition. If glaucoma is undetected or untreated, pressure can progressively increase leading to a loss of peripheral vision. When medications are unable to control the intraocular pressure, surgery may be considered. Laser surgery is less invasive that incisional surgery and can be an effective tool in the management of glaucoma.
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT)
One type of laser surgery for the treatment of glaucoma is Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT). Small burns are applied to the trabecular meshwork, the area where fluid drains from the eye. These burns stretch open the drainage channels and allow more fluid to escape the eye. By doing so, the pressure is reduced. This type of laser can be helpful as there are infrequent complications and a high success rate.
Risks of Laser surgery
Although the risks of laser surgery are usually less than that of conventional surgery, these procedures are not without risk. Vision loss can rarely result from laser procedures if they are not administered correctly. Sometimes, the laser is not adequate to control the underlying condition. Loss of vision might occur despite adequate treatment. Conventional surgery might be contemplated in such a case.
What to expect during and after laser surgery
The laser surgery is performed at the New Port Richey office in the laser room. The patient sits at a slit lamp (similar to what is used in clinic). A lens is placed on the surface of the eye to be treated. A sticky solution is used to keep the lens in place. The laser is focused into the proper area and then a series of flashes will be seen as the laser is fired. Once the lens is removed, the technician rinses out the sticky solution. Following the laser procedure, the intraocular pressure is checked several times to ensure that it is at a safe level prior to the patient going home. After the laser treatment, the vision may be temporarily blurred. Usually the vision clears within 24 hours. There is usually no pain during laser surgery and patients can return home and resume their normal activities immediately after the procedure. Usually, the eye drops will initially be continued to supplement the pressure lowering effects of the laser.
In conclusion
Argon lasers have significantly reduced the need for conventional glaucoma surgery and have allowed eye surgeons to treat the disease at an earlier stage, before vision has been lost. Where once glaucoma surgery was delayed for fear of the complications, which may arise, the laser has made it possible to treat those patients without delay. |
