Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.
Laser trabeculoplasty is a glaucoma procedure that applies laser energy to the trabecular meshwork, the eye's main drainage tissue. By triggering biological and structural changes in this tissue, it can increase aqueous outflow and lower intraocular pressure (IOP). It is most commonly used for ocular hypertension and primary open-angle glaucoma. The effect can last years in many patients, but it may decrease over time.
read more about laser trabeculoplasty ...The laser targets the trabecular meshwork to stimulate changes that improve fluid drainage. In selective laser trabeculoplasty, low-energy pulses selectively target pigmented cells, aiming to minimize thermal damage. In argon laser trabeculoplasty, thermal laser burns are applied to the meshwork to improve outflow. Lower intraocular pressure helps reduce the risk of progressive optic nerve damage in glaucoma.
Your doctor chooses the type based on glaucoma subtype, prior treatments, and angle findings.
Laser trabeculoplasty is commonly used in primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension and can be considered as initial therapy or as an add-on to eye drops. The procedure is typically done in the clinic with numbing drops and a special contact lens. Vision may be blurry for a short time, and anti-inflammatory drops may be prescribed. Eye pressure is checked after treatment because a temporary spike can occur.
Common side effects include short-term inflammation, mild discomfort, and temporary blurred vision. A transient intraocular pressure rise can occur soon after treatment, so early follow-up is important. The pressure-lowering effect often lasts one to several years, but it can wear off and some people need repeat treatment, additional drops, or surgery. Seek urgent care for severe pain, sudden vision changes, or significant redness.
Sometimes. Some patients achieve target intraocular pressure without drops after treatment, while others still need drops but may need fewer. The response varies, so follow-up pressure checks guide the plan.
The effect commonly lasts one to several years, and some patients maintain benefit longer. Results depend on glaucoma type, baseline pressure, and prior treatments. If pressure rises again, repeat treatment or other options may be considered.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty is often repeatable in selected cases, though the pressure-lowering response may be smaller with each repeat. Argon laser trabeculoplasty is less commonly repeated because it causes more thermal changes in the trabecular meshwork. Your doctor will advise based on prior response and angle findings.
It is mainly used for open-angle glaucoma where the trabecular meshwork is accessible. If the angle is closed, laser trabeculoplasty cannot effectively target the drainage tissue. Angle-closure glaucoma is more commonly treated with laser iridotomy and other measures to open the angle.
Laser Trabeculoplasty. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK578175/. Date Accessed February 5, 2026.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty. EyeWiki (American Academy of Ophthalmology). https://eyewiki.org/Selective_Laser_Trabeculoplasty. Date Accessed February 5, 2026.
Laser Principles in Ophthalmology. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580539/. August 25, 2023.
Glaucoma. National Eye Institute (National Institutes of Health). https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma. Date Accessed February 5, 2026.
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430857/. Date Accessed February 5, 2026.