What is argon laser trabeculoplasty?
Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is a common procedure used
to treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the
optic nerve is damaged, usually by high pressure inside the
eye. Eye pressure can become too high if you have a problem
with the drainage of fluid from your eye. Damage to the
optic nerve can cause a loss of vision.
When ALT is done, your doctor uses a laser to treat the
drainage pathways (the trabecular meshwork) in your eye.
The procedure can lower the pressure in your eye and may
help prevent more damage to the optic nerve and further loss
of vision.
Sometimes your eye doctor may recommend this procedure after
you have tried reducing the pressure in your eye with
eyedrops or pills. These medicines may not be lowering your
eye pressure or they may be causing side effects.
What happens during the procedure?
This procedure is usually done in the doctor's office. The
eye doctor uses eyedrops to numb your eye. A special
contact lens is put on your eye to help direct the laser's
beam of light at the trabecular meshwork in your eye. The
laser makes 50 to 100 evenly spaced burns. You may see a
few brief flashes of light and feel little, if any,
discomfort.
The procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes. You may
be able to go home soon after it is done.
What happens after the procedure?
Your vision will probably be blurred for the rest of the
day, but then it should clear. You will not need to wear an
eye patch. If the blurriness does not go away within a day
or if you feel any pain or discomfort, call your doctor.
Several days or weeks after the procedure, the flow of fluid
from your eye should improve. Improved flow usually reduces
the pressure inside the eye. Your doctor will want to check
you regularly to see if the pressure inside your eye is in
fact getting lower. It may take 3 to 6 weeks, and sometimes
longer, to learn the results.
After the procedure you may no longer need to take medicine
for glaucoma, but most people do still need to take some
medicine. Do not change your medicines unless instructed to
do so by your eye doctor.
The effects of this treatment may not last. After some time
you may need to have the procedure again or you may need a
different treatment.
What are the risks?
Although there are some risks with the laser treatment,
there are fewer risks than with other types of eye surgery.
Problems may occur that could threaten your vision, but they
are rare. If you have any questions about the risks of
argon laser treatment, ask your doctor.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
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