Definition

Noun: - A type of eye surgery: A surgical procedure for treating glaucoma, specifically open-angle glaucoma, where a laser is used to create a series of very small burns in the trabecular meshwork. This area is the eye's natural drainage system. The purpose of these microscopic alterations is to improve the outflow of aqueous humor, the fluid inside the eye, thereby reducing elevated intraocular pressure.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ophthalmologist recommended laser trabecular surgery to manage the patient's glaucoma.
  • After undergoing laser trabecular surgery, the patient's intraocular pressure decreased significantly.

Advanced Usage

• As a specific medical term: This term is used almost exclusively in medical contexts, particularly ophthalmology. It is often discussed in contrast to other glaucoma treatments like medication, traditional surgery (trabeculectomy), or other laser procedures (e.g., laser peripheral iridotomy).
  • The study compared the long-term efficacy of laser trabecular surgery versus topical prostaglandin analogs.

Variants and Related Words

• Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT): A specific, common type of laser trabecular surgery that uses a low-energy laser. It is considered "selective" because it targets specific pigmented cells without causing thermal damage to surrounding non-pigmented tissue.
• Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT): An older form of laser trabecular surgery that uses an argon laser.
• Trabecular Meshwork: The specific tissue in the eye where the surgery is performed.
• Trabeculoplasty: The general term for surgical procedures using laser or other means to treat the trabecular meshwork; laser trabecular surgery is a form of trabeculoplasty.

Synonyms

• Laser trabeculoplasty: This is the most direct and commonly used synonym in medical literature.
• Laser treatment for glaucoma (a more general term that could encompass other procedures).

Related Phrases / Procedures

• Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS): Laser trabecular surgery is often categorized under this broader umbrella of newer, less invasive surgical techniques for glaucoma.
• Angle surgery: Refers to surgery performed in the iridocorneal angle of the eye, where the trabecular meshwork is located.

Noun

1. eye surgery that makes many tiny laser burns in an area that will increase the drainage of aqueous humor