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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Do I need laser for angle closure glaucoma with normal pressure?

    Related Topic
    Glaucoma
    I have been told I'm at risk for angle closure glaucoma and would like to know if I need laser. I have been booked in even though I have normal pressures. I also have skin rosecea and Blepharitis. I am taking eye drops at present. I thought you would need to have high pressure.
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    Roland Mak

    Optometrist

    An ophthalmologist would take multiple factors into account when considering whether laser treatment is suitable for a patient at risk of angle closure.  Eye pressure is only one of them.  If the anatomy of your eyes is such that slight changes in the environment or body state may cause eye pressure to shoot up in the future, you would be recommended laser surgery.

    The greatest benefit of laser is reducing the chance of developing an angle closure attack, where the patient requires emergency admission to the hospital and a much greater risk of vision loss and time off work.

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    Glaucoma Australia

    Glaucoma Australia is the peak glaucoma awareness/education/support association in Australia.It is a national, not-for-profit registered charity dedicated to providing educational services to raise awareness about … View Profile

    Angle closure occurs because there is physically not enough room for fluid normally produced in the eye (aqueous) to drain away properly. Under day to day conditions the fluid may be able to drain away, hence maintaining a normal eye pressure. Drops may help maintain eye pressure if the drainage angle is narrow. However, under certain conditions, this normal drainage pathway may block off causing an acute rise in pressure (angle closure). Untreated, this painful condition may rapidly lead to vision loss. Because you have been identified as a having an eye at risk of angle closure, it is quite reasonable to recommend a laser treatment to minimise the rsik of this happening in the first place. It is quite common for the presure in the eye to be normal prior to this procedure and there to be no difference afterwards though there may be a persistent drop in eye pressure post procedure. Blepharitis and rosacea should have no impact on your risk of angle closure or the laser treatment.

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