What’s Wrong with Glaucoma Drops?
Reducing the eye pressure in your eyes is of paramount importance when you have glaucoma. You are probably using eye drops on a daily basis, but occasionally you may forget to use them. They may also cause significant side effects, such as irritation, blurred vision, red eyes, dark circles around your eyes and sunken eyes.
What’s Wrong with Glaucoma Drops?
Reducing the eye pressure in your eyes is of paramount importance when you have glaucoma. You are probably using eye drops on a daily basis, but occasionally you may forget to use them. They may also cause significant side effects, such as irritation, blurred vision, red eyes, dark circles around your eyes and sunken eyes.
SLT Treatment
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a safe and painless procedure that can effectively reduce the eye pressure and replace some or all of your drops in one session. It can be used at any stage of the glaucoma continuum, but it is usually more effective in ocular hypertension, mild and moderate glaucoma.
SLT Treatment
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a safe and painless procedure that can effectively reduce the eye pressure and replace some or all of your drops in one session. It can be used at any stage of the glaucoma continuum, but it is usually more effective in ocular hypertension, mild and moderate glaucoma.
The Actual Treatment
Glaucoma laser treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure and takes around 15-20 minutes. Anaesthetic drops will be instilled in your eye before the laser, a special contact lens placed on your eye and you will might only feel slight prickles during the procedure. You should not experience any discomfort and you can resume normal activities the following day.
As with most glaucoma procedures, the effect can wear off after a few years, but SLT can be repeated if necessary.
Safety
SLT is a safe procedure with only a small risk of inflammation or raised eye pressure, both of which are temporary effects and usually treated effectively with drops.
Approximately 3 out of 4 ocular hypertension or early glaucoma patients may enjoy a drop free life, but you need to be aware that the effect on the eye pressure may take up to 2-3 months to show.