Which laser procedure is used to treat open-angle glaucoma by increasing drainage?

Which laser procedure is used to treat open-angle glaucoma by increasing drainage?

• A. Laser Trabeculoplasty
• B. LASIK
• C. Photorefractive Keratotomy
• D. Pneumatic Retinopexy

Answer: (A)

Open-angle glaucoma involves impaired drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork, leading to elevated intraocular pressure. The laser procedure that increases drainage is laser trabeculoplasty. In this treatment, the laser targets the trabecular meshwork at the drainage angle to induce changes that improve outflow—either by widening the outflow pathways or by creating a pattern of micro-scars that facilitate fluid escape. The result is lower intraocular pressure, helping to protect vision. This can be done as an outpatient procedure and is commonly used when medications alone aren’t enough. The other procedures are different kinds of eye surgery with unrelated goals: LASIK and Photorefractive Keratectomy reshape the cornea to correct refractive errors, not to enhance aqueous drainage, and Pneumatic retinopexy treats retinal detachment by placing a gas bubble in the eye, which also doesn’t affect drainage of the aqueous humor.

Open-angle glaucoma involves impaired drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork, leading to elevated intraocular pressure. The laser procedure that increases drainage is laser trabeculoplasty. In this treatment, the laser targets the trabecular meshwork at the drainage angle to induce changes that improve outflow—either by widening the outflow pathways or by creating a pattern of micro-scars that facilitate fluid escape. The result is lower intraocular pressure, helping to protect vision. This can be done as an outpatient procedure and is commonly used when medications alone aren’t enough.

The other procedures are different kinds of eye surgery with unrelated goals: LASIK and Photorefractive Keratectomy reshape the cornea to correct refractive errors, not to enhance aqueous drainage, and Pneumatic retinopexy treats retinal detachment by placing a gas bubble in the eye, which also doesn’t affect drainage of the aqueous humor.