Method of treatment of glaucoma with an excimer laser

摘要

A method of performing trabeculodissection to treat glaucoma uses a galvanometric scanning laser delivery system. A scleral flap is cut to expose the treatment area of the trabecular meshwork. The arc of the treatment area is made as wide as the trabecular meshwork limited by the circumference of the limbal area around the patient's eye. A laser, preferably of the excimer type, is used to treat small test areas in successive discrete zones along the arc of the treatment area in the bed of the scleral flap to determine the precise depth of ablation required over the entirety of each zone to promote filtration without penetration of the treatment zone. The laser then treats discrete zones over the length of the arc to remove in scan layers so as to process discrete ablated zones of minimal residual thickness. The treatment of successive zones allows ablation along the length of the treatment arc without interference from actively draining aqueous. After ablation of the various successive zones, the scleral flap is closed and, if necessary, sutured.