Laser Treatment for Glaucoma

The goal of glaucoma treatment is to maintain the existing quality of life, visual function of the eye, and field of vision.

Medical treatment is indicated for early and moderate stages of glaucoma. Laser or surgical treatment should be considered, when a treatment of 2 – 3 anti-glaucoma eye drops remains insufficient to maintain a normal intraocular pressure, or in the case of prescription intolerance.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is indicated when medicated treatment fails to lower intraocular pressure or the patient cannot tolerate eye drops.

Laser iridotomy is indicated for closed-angle glaucoma, with microscopic openings being created in the iris with a laser beam (also practiced prophylactically).

Diode laser therapy is indicated for the treatment of advanced glaucoma and glaucoma-induced blindness to reduce pain and counter high intraocular pressure.

Surgical treatment is indicated when medical or laser therapy is ineffective or cannot be performed. The appropriate method to be used is determined by analysing the angle of the anterior chamber and the stage of glaucoma. Glaucoma surgeries are performed in our clinic by Dr. Pille Tein.

Trabeculectomy is the most commonly performed method of glaucoma surgery. For 6 weeks post-operation, continued follow-up care and monitoring, as well as special procedures to regulate intraocular pressure, are required. The procedures regarding intraocular pressure include laser, suture lysis, and injections (if necessary).

Closed-angle glaucoma and advanced stages of glaucoma are always treated surgically. As an alternative to classical surgery, deep sclerectomy and mini-shunt operations are performed, with fewer follow-up appointments and shorter recovery times.

Deep sclerectomy can be performed for open-angle glaucoma. The surgery duration is longer, however, all eye functions are expected to be recovered a week after the operation. Intraocular pressure can hereafter be regulated with the help of laser punctures (micro-openings draining the aqueous humor).

Mini-shunts have shorter surgery durations and fewer follow-up appointments. In most cases, additional treatment for glaucoma is not required after this surgery.

Laser photocoagulation

Supra Scan 577 – a new generation multi-spot laser

Quantel Medical’s new generation multi-spot laser, Supra Scan 577, offers a treatment method based on up-to-date technology and innovative technical functions.

Although ophthalmologists have been using photocoagulation for more than 60 years, both clinical and technical research are actively conducted to further require knowledge about the effects of laser treatment on tissues and to improve treatment strategies. In recent years, there has been a revolutionary improvement in the quality of treatment results, with the launch of the new 577nm multi-spot laser, Supra Scan 577.

Quantel Medical’s lasers use laser photocoagulation wavelength, which results in essentially unnoticeable spots. The exposure time of the Supra Scan 577 is shorter, due to the optimisation of laser technology. The new technology limits the heating of the retinal epithelial pigment and thus reduces the risk of inflammation. Complications are much less common as opposed to  traditional laser therapy.

The latest generation of laser, Supra Scan 577, offers specific technological features and treatment options designed to improve retinal laser therapy:

• a more effective 577nm wavelength,

• multi-spot mode, which allows the transmission of millisecond interval pulses with a single press of the pedal,

• micro-pulse module can be used to generate microsecond impulse series to minimize damage to surrounding tissues.

As opposed to the widely-used green 532nm laser, 577nm wavelength grants a higher treatment efficiency:

• a lower output power is needed,

• a more homogeneous treatment via cataracts,

• a safer treatment in the case of a nearby macular degeneration.

The benefits of Supra Scan 577 laser to the patient:

• short procedure duration (typically up to 10 minutes, 15–20 minutes with a regular laser),

• higher efficiency and accuracy of the prodecure,

• more tolerable, i.e. not as painful,

• lower risk of post-procedure edema,

• less (light flashes-induced) glare,

• faster recovery of visual acuity.

Patients who have previously been treated with a classic laser, note these benefits and prefer the new method of treatment.