Laser iridotomy in glaucoma (Photo)

This photograph was taken during a laser iridotomy. This is when you create a hole in the iris to equalize the pressure between the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye. This procedure is typically performed on patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma or those at risk for angle closure.

This photograph, taken from our laser iridotomy video, shows a yag laser being used to blast through the iris. The dark “hole” is the hole created with the laser, and there is a plume of iris pigment debris coming out from it (this really makes more sense in the iridotomy movie). You can see a small illuminated spot at the edge of the hole … this is the guiding laser beam spot used for focusing and targeting.