Laser Procedures

YAG Laser Iridotomy

This is a laser procedure to break an acute glaucoma attack or to prevent an attack. It accomplishes this by making a small opening in the periphery of the iris. This acts as an escape route for the fluid in the eye to travel from behind the iris to in front of it and out the eye.

YAG Laser Capsulotomy

After cataract surgery some patients have a clouding of a membrane that the new lens is placed upon. This cloudy membrane may be opened in the office with this laser to restore clear vision.

Diabetic Laser

Diabetic patients may develop swelling of the retina. The laser is used to seal the leaking vessels and to treat the retina directly to reduce the swelling. This is known as a focal treatment. Other patients may develop new blood vessels growing in the eye. These vessels are a sign that the retina is not receiving enough oxygen and the retina needs to be treated to induce these vessels to regress. Laser spots are applied to the peripheral retina, this usually causes the blood vessels to regress. This is known as a peripheral treatment.

Macular Degeneration

In wet macular degeneration, new blood vessels are growing that are harmful. Depending on the location and type of blood vessels, laser may be applied to destroy them and prevent further vision loss.

Laser Trabeculoplasty

This procedure applies laser to the area of the eye where fluid aggresses. This has been shown to lower the pressure in eyes that are failing medical treatment.