Eye laser treatment - Yag iridotomy
This page gives you information about having laser treatment on your eye(s). Your eyes have been diagnosed with, or maybe likely to develop problems with the circulation of the fluid within the eye. This can lead to a painful type of glaucoma called angle-closure glaucoma. Laser treatment needs to be performed on your eye to help the fluid pass more freely within your eye.
About Yag iridotomy
The Yag laser is a beam of light used to make small holes in the iris (coloured part of the eye). The fluid inside your eye can then flow more freely through these small holes and help to control the pressure in the eye. These small holes are not visible to the naked eye.
The treatment is carried out in the outpatient department and uses a machine similar to the ‘slit lamp’ used by the doctor to examine your eyes in clinic.
Because this type of glaucoma can happen in both eyes, the treatment is usually carried out on both eyes at the same appointment.
It is better to prevent this type of glaucoma from happening rather than wait until you develop a painful eye and damage your vision.
On the day of your treatment
- Do not drive to your appointment as your vision will be blurred for several hours after the treatment.
- Use your usual eye drops including any for your glaucoma as normal on the day of your treatment.
- Bring all of your glasses with you to the appointment.
- You may need to stay for an hour after the treatment, please allow time for this.
What will happen before the laser treatment?
Your vision will be tested and we will explain the procedure to you. Please ask any questions that you may have. Once you are happy to go ahead, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
Drops will be put in the eye(s) to be treated; this will make the pupil smaller and will take about 30 minutes to work.
You will then be asked to sit at the laser machine and anaesthetic drops will be put in the eye(s) to be treated. This will help to stop any discomfort during the laser treatment.
During the laser treatment
A contact lens will be placed on the front of the eye to keep the eye open and focused on the laser beam. This will not be painful. When you are comfortable, the laser treatment will start; this will only take a few minutes.
During this time, you may hear some clicking sounds and see some bright lights. You may also have a feeling of pressure in your eye.
The contact lens will be taken out and further eye drops may be given.
The eye pressure in your eye may need to be checked an hour after the laser treatment.
After the laser treatment
Your vision may be a little hazy for a number of hours after the treatment. Do not drive until this clears.
Use all your glaucoma drops as usual. Other drops may be given to you after the treatment. Please make sure that you understand which drops you should be using and how often to put them in before you leave the clinic.
Complications of laser treatment
- Although rare, the pressure in the eye can rise but can be treated with eye drops or tablets.
- Bleeding inside the eye can happen from laser burn at the time of treatment. This will clear in a few days.
- Visual disturbances, including glare, ghosting around objects, shadows and lines, may sometimes happen after laser iridotomy. In the most cases, this is temporary and vision returns to normal in a few weeks. In a small proportion of patients, visual symptoms may be permanent, although they do not usually affect the quality of life.
Contact information
Please contact Eye Triage if you notice your vision getting worse or if you are having severe pain.
Eye Triage
Tel: 0300 422 3578
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to1:00pm and 2:00pm to 6.00pm
Outside of these hours please contact the Gloucestershire Hospitals Switchboard.
Gloucestershire Hospitals Switchboard
Tel: 0300 422 2222
When prompted, please ask to speak to the operator then the eye doctor on call.