Eye Laser Clinic

SLT reduces intra-ocular pressure by stimulating the trabecular meshwork in the drainage angles of your eyes. This stimulation rejuvenates the tissue and improves its function.  SLT is a gentle yet effective treatment, using short pulses of low-energy laser light. The aim of SLT treatment is to lower the intraocular eye pressure and prevent further visual loss – it does not improve vision.

SLT lowers intraocular eye pressure by an average of 25% in 74-85% of patients tested,  and the treatment effect usually lasts for a period of 3-4 years. SLT can be repeated to achieve similar results however alternative treatment options are available for patients who do not respond to SLT.

Prior to the procedure, local anaesthetic drops will be applied. The procedure lasts for a few minutes and is performed in-clinic. You should be able to drive after treatment.

During the procedure, a special lens will be placed on your eye to visualise the trabecular meshwork and precisely focus the laser. During the procedure patients commonly report seeing a bright light and experiencing a mild tingling sensation. The laser treatment does not structurally damage or “burn holes” in the eye; rather it works by rejuvenating the tissue, this allows more fluid to pass out of the eye via natural pathways.

SLT is a safe procedure and complications are rare; loss of vision or significant inflammation after SLT is very rare. The main risks of the laser procedure are:

The pressure may rise after the treatment, sometimes requiring additional treatment. Drops are usually given prior to the treatment to reduce the risk of this occurring.
A second procedure or another type of surgery may be required.

You may experience transient red, uncomfortable eyes or blurred vision that may last a few days.

In acute angle closure the fluid in the eye (aqueous humour) is unable to pass into the anterior chamber and drain from the eye. This is because the iris is pushed forward onto the drainage system, restricting the outflow of aqueous humour so the pressure in the eye rises. LPI delivers a concentrated beam of energy to make a small hole in the iris (the coloured part of the eye) . Aqueous humour can then flow into the anterior chamber and drain from the eye.

Before the procedure, Pilocarpine will be administered to the eye that will be undergoing treatment, this will constrict the pupil. Topical anaesthetic drops will also be administered along with Pilocarpine.

After anaesthetic drops are properly instilled into your eyes, a special lens will be placed on the eye, after which, the laser treatment will begin.
Some patients report feeling a mild, sharp sensation during the laser treatment while nearly all patients report no pain after the treatment has been completed. This procedure takes a few minutes.

After the laser you will have drops to reduce inflammation in the eye.

The main risk of LPI is that your iris may be difficult to penetrate, requiring more than one treatment session. Rarely, the laser spot in your iris may close requiring another procedure to open it again. Other risks include eye irritation and inflammation.

Intraocular pressure can rise after the LPI, however eyedrops which lower intraocular pressure are given to prevent this rise.  Rarely, side effects such as glare and monocular blurring/diplopia can occur.

You may feel mild eye discomfort, headache or blurred vision that resolves within hours/days. On the day of the procedure you should not undertake strenuous exercise. You should avoid lying face down for 2 days.

Laser capsulotomy is a painless and quick treatment which permanently fixes posterior capsular opacification. Gentle pulses of light are delivered through a specially-designed microscope. The laser removes the area of capsular clouding, creating a clear window in the capsular bag through which you can see.

Prior to the procedure, local anaesthetic drops will be applied to numb the eye and drops will be applied to dilate the pupil. The procedure lasts for approximately 10 minutes and is performed in-clinic.

A special lens will be placed on the eye to precisely focus the laser.

You will need to use anti-inflammatory drops for five days after the laser to help the eye heal correctly.

There is no interruption in physical activities (e.g. exercise) and no patch after the laser treatment is needed. Your pupil will be dilated so we recommend you do not drive for 1-2 hours following the procedure. You may prefer not to work for a few hours if your job has visual demands, until the dilated pupil returns to a normal size.

Your vision should improve later that day when the pupil reduces in size.

It is a safe procedure, but complications can occur, although uncommonly. Some new floaters or spots may be seen but these usually disappear within a few weeks. Retinal swelling or detachment can follow this type of surgery, but this is rare. Occasionally more than one treatment may be required, although this is uncommon. The intra-ocular lens can become displaced - this is very rare. There may be inflammation and the eye pressure may rise temporarily after the YAG laser treatment - drops are used to reduce these risks.