Laser Peripheral Iridotomy

For patients with narrow anatomical angles or angle closure glaucoma, laser peripheral iridotomy is necessary to prevent an emergent rise in eye pressure which could result in severe painful vision loss and even blindness.  In both of these conditions, the space where fluid normally drains from inside the eye is narrow due to either natural anatomy or from other conditions such as cataracts, scarring, abnormal blood vessel growth.  When fluid can not adequately leave the eye, the pressure inside builds causing pain and pressure on the optic nerve.  This results in damage to the nerve and ultimately to one’s vision.   A laser peripheral iridotomy is a procedure where a laser is used to make a microscopic hole in the colored part of the eye, the iris.  This creates a bypass for the fluid preventing the narrow part to close further.  It is a simple and quick procedure with minimal side effects.  It can be done in a preventative manner or as a treatment if one is suffering from an acute narrow angle attack.