What is argon laser trabeculoplasty?
Argon laser trabeculoplasty 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. In this procedure, your doctor uses a laser to make burns in the drainage pathways (the trabecular meshwork) in your eye. The burns stretch the drainage holes in the meshwork. This helps to open the holes and lets fluid drain better through them. The procedure can lower the pressure in your eye and help prevent more damage to the optic nerve and loss of vision. Your eye doctor may recommend this procedure after you have tried treating high pressure in your eye with eyedrops or pills. These medicines may not be reducing your eye pressure or they may be causing side effects.
