Laser cyclophotocoagulation for glaucoma
Laser cyclophotocoagulation is a type of surgery (cyclodestructive procedure) used to destroy the ciliary body, the part of the eye that produces fluid.
In laser cyclophotocoagulation, a laser beam is used to destroy the ciliary body. For this procedure, medication to numb the eye is injected behind the eyeball (retrobulbar anesthesia) before the procedure.
Cyclophotocoagulation procedures are usually done in people who have severe glaucoma that has not improved with other types of treatment or surgery. Repeat treatments of laser cyclophotocoagulation may be needed. For most, but not all, people who have laser cyclophotocoagulation, the pressure in their eyes decreases to their target pressure.
Complications of laser cyclophotocoagulation may include:
- Cloudiness of eyesight.
- Bleeding from the site.
- Inflammation of the area of the eye (uveitis).
- Pain (may be severe).
- Shrinkage of the eyeball (hypotony) due to decreased pressure in the eye. This may lead to clouding of the lens (cataract).
Laser cyclodestructive procedures may cause less pain than other cyclodestructive procedures used to destroy the ciliary body.
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis | Last Updated: May 23, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology | |
 | ||
| |