Cyclodiode laser (Treatment for glaucoma)
Date issued: March 2024
Review date: March 2026
Ref: B-508/DS/REI/Cyclodiode laser (Treatment for glaucoma)
PDF: Cyclodiode laser (Treatment for glaucoma) March 2024.pdf [pdf] 230KB
What are the benefits of cyclodiode laser?
The benefit of cyclodiode laser is to reduce the eye pressure in situations when the eye pressure is too high and causing damage to the optic nerve or causing significant eye pain. The full effect of the laser can take weeks. You can continue your usual drops and medication afterwards and we will advise you if they can be reduced of stopped. Please make sure you have a new bottle of drops.
Will the laser improve my vision?
The purpose of the laser procedure is not to improve your vision but to reduce the eye pressure, which should help preserve the vision you currently have or reduce eye pain.
If vision is already lost, treatment will not restore vision but aims to make the eye comfortable.
What happens on the day of the procedure?
The laser is typically performed under local anesthetic whilst laying on a bed. Your eye will be held open with a small clip. The anesthetist commonly uses a blunt needle to fill the tissues around the eye with local anesthetic. This is a very effective anesthetic that works for several hours. While you may feel pressure around your eye whilst the anesthetic is being given, this makes the cyclodiode laser procedure painless.
The laser is performed using a pen like devise held against the side of the eye. The procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes to perform. The eye is covered with a patch to protect it, for a few hours until the anesthetic wears off. The procedure is a day case procedure, and you will be home the same day. Your vision will return as the anesthesia wears off, but your eye may feel sore. If you are experiencing discomfort, you can take some regular pain relief that suits you i.e. Paracetamol.
What is cyclodiode laser?
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Cyclodiode laser is a procedure performed to lower the eye pressure using a laser held against the outside of the eye
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It is used as an alternative to incisional glaucoma surgery, particularly where other forms of surgery are not justified or have a high chance or failure or complications
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The procedure is usually carried out in the operating theatre under a local anesthetic
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Normally, eye pressure is controlled by the balance of production and drainage of a fluid called aqueous humour
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The laser is directed towards the area of the eye that produces the fluid. The laser causes less fluid to be produced and so the pressure of the eye is reduced
What are the risks of cyclodiode laser?
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Pain after the operation
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Inflammation in the eye
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In some cases, the pressure can be too low or too high following treatment and may require another procedure. You will have a follow up appointment to check the eye pressure
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Inadequate pressure reduction, or pressure rising again with time can occur- you can have the procedure repeated
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In some cases, vision can be reduced transiently or can remain reduced after the procedure to reduce IOP.
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In rare cases, persistent very low pressure can cause permanent loss of vision and alter appearance of the eye due to severe eye damage (phthisis bulbi)
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In rare cases, severe bleeding, or infection can lead to permanent vision loss known as “wipe out”.
What to do if I have problems after treatment?
If you think you are having a problem following the procedure, you should contact the emergency triage line on:
01752 439330
Monday to Friday 8am to 6.45pm and Saturday, Sunday, bank holidays 8.30am to 1.45pm
Attend the A&E department out of hours
