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laser iridotomy failure

I have had 2 laser iridotomys and for a couple of week my pressure went back to normal. After another week or so it is very high again. Why does laser procedure not work and what else can be done?
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, Iridotomies was started.
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284078 tn?1282616698
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
By the way - the only way the iridotomy can be a failure is if the opening could not be made.  If the opening was made - that's what you want.  This laser procedure most likely will not lower your pressure - you would need drops or perhaps SLT laser to do that.

MJK MD
Helpful - 0
284078 tn?1282616698
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Laser iridotomy usually does not lower the eye pressure - it just helps your angles to open and prevent a future attack of angle closure glaucoma.  Now if you already had a narrow angle glaucoma attack and had the laser iridotomy to help break the attack - then the laser can be very helpful in breaking the attack and helping to lower the iop.  Generally, for the usual protective laser iridotomy I tell patients that they won't see better, won't feel better, and pressure probably won't be better BUT they will be protected from an angle closure attack.  If your iridotomy was successfully opened with the laser and your pressure is still high, you may need to take drops to lower the pressure.  Now some people with mixed mechanism glaucoma (partially open, getting narrow) the iridotomy can be a useful way to help keep control of the pressure.

MJK MD
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