Laser treatments are widely used in ophthalmology. Different procedures, different laser devices with different types of lasers help to treat eye conditions today in a gentle manner and without “invasive” surgery that were previously untreatable. We perform laser treatments on the eye directly at our practice. The costs of laser treatments that we perform directly at our practice are fully covered by statutory health insurance.
Applications of Laser Surgeries on the Eye
During cataract surgery, the eye’s own clouded lens is removed through an opening in the anterior lens capsule, and an artificial lens is inserted into the eye. The posterior capsule remains intact. Several months to years after the operation, this posterior capsule may thicken. This is not a new cataract, but “only” a clouding of the capsule. This can be opened with a special laser in the practice during a laser procedure lasting approximately 5 minutes. Visual acuity increases again immediately afterwards. After the procedure, you should use eye drops for 10 days.
Angle-closure glaucoma involves a disruption in the drainage of the aqueous humor. This fluid builds up behind the iris, pushing it forward and causing a very painful increase in intraocular pressure and a severe deterioration in vision. Prompt treatment is necessary to prevent permanent vision loss. In these cases, a special laser and specific contact lenses are used to create a microscopic opening in the iris (LIT, laser iridotomy), through which the accumulated aqueous humor can drain. This leads to a rapid improvement in pain and eye pressure.
Vitreous opacities are condensations and inhomogeneities within the vitreous humor, which can be irritating for affected patients upon their first appearance and necessitate a retinal examination for newly formed tears and holes, but are not inherently threatening. Although they can be highly disruptive at times, the symptoms spontaneously improve in most cases after a few months, and the vitreous opacities only become noticeable in specific situations, such as when looking at a white wall, a snowfield, or a clear blue sky. Therefore, treatment is not required in most cases. However, in instances of persistent and severe impairment that may affect one’s profession (e.g., driving hazardous goods vehicles, professional hunters, pilots), treatment of the opacities with a YAG laser can be considered with a cautious indication.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is now one of the most important and most advanced laser treatments for lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma. It improves the outflow of aqueous humour in the so-called trabecular meshwork, a fine structure in the chamber angle between the cornea and the iris. Improved outflow lowers intraocular pressure—the key risk factor for damage to the optic nerve.
Unlike earlier laser methods such as argon laser trabeculoplasty (LTP/ALT), SLT uses very short, selectively acting pulses. These target pigmented cells specifically without causing thermal damage to the surrounding tissue. This makes SLT particularly gentle, repeatable, and tissue-sparing. The treatment takes only a few minutes, involves minimal discomfort, and is performed on an outpatient basis.
The European Glaucoma Society (EGS) now officially lists SLT as a first-line therapy—that is, an equivalent initial treatment alongside prostaglandin eye drops. Studies show that SLT can achieve a comparable reduction in pressure, but without the daily requirements and potential side effects of drop therapy. For many patients, it is therefore an attractive, sustainable, and medication-free treatment option.
The effect of SLT often lasts for several years. If intraocular pressure rises again later, the treatment can be repeated if the initial situation is suitable. Even if eye drops are already being used, SLT can complement the treatment plan or make it possible to reduce drops.
SLT is particularly suitable for patients who want a simple, gentle, and everyday-friendly treatment—but also for those who do not tolerate drops well or have difficulty using them regularly.
At Eyeside, we offer SLT directly in our practice and will advise you individually on whether this modern laser treatment is the best option for your type of glaucoma.
Injuries and contusions, vitreous traction on the retina as part of normal age-related changes, as well as gradual spontaneous thinning of the retina in the outer retinal areas that are less well supplied with blood vessels, can lead to retinal tears and holes. People who are short-sighted are at significantly higher risk than those with normal vision. Flashes of light indicating vitreous traction, a sudden increase in vitreous floaters as a sign of changes in the vitreous, or the appearance of a black shadow that moves like a curtain from the periphery increasingly towards the centre of the visual field are warning signs for which you should come for an eye examination within 24 hours. With the pupil dilated, we examine the retina right to the outermost edge using special magnifying lenses and contact lenses. If a hole or tear is found, in many cases it can be sealed along the tear/hole margins with a special laser without surgery. This can prevent fluid from the vitreous from seeping under the retina and lifting it off the underlying pigment epithelium (retinal detachment, ablatio retinae). However, if there is already a large amount of fluid under the retina, surgery to reattach the retina is required in order to prevent the retinal sensory cells from dying and to prevent blindness.
For neovascularizations as part of diabetic retinopathy (proliferative diabetic retinopathy), panretinal laser coagulation (grid-pattern laser treatment of the deep retinal layers of the entire retina) is the preferred treatment method. The laser treatment is performed in several (usually 4) individual sessions with dilated pupils using a contact lens, at weekly intervals. Laser coagulation of the retina can also prevent the progression of the disease and blindness in cases of retinal vascular occlusions with (impending) neovascularizations (e.g., ischemic central retinal vein occlusion), or neovascularizations of the iris (rubeosis iridis).
We do not perform these procedures in our practice, but instead work closely with the refractive surgery department at the University Eye Clinic Graz, to which we will refer you for the procedure. The costs for these laser treatments are not covered by health insurance in all cases. You will receive detailed information about this during the preliminary examination at the clinic.
