Cyclophotocoagulation For Glaucoma

What you should know

• Cyclophotocoagulation (cy-klo-fo-toe-co-ag-u-LA-shun) is a type of laser surgery used to help control glaucoma (glaw-KO-muh). This surgery is done for people who already have eye damage caused by glaucoma. It may be done when medicines and other surgeries have not helped control your glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye disease. A clear fluid flows through passages inside your eye all the time. With glaucoma, these passages get clogged or blocked. When this happens, fluid in your eye builds up and causes too much pressure inside the eye. Too much pressure against the optic nerve can lead to damage and loss of your vision (sight).
  
  
• During surgery, your doctor will point a laser at the white part of your eye (sclera). The laser will go through the sclera to the ciliary (SIL-e-air-e) body. The ciliary body is the part of the eye that makes eye fluid. The laser damages parts of the ciliary body so that it will make less eye fluid. This surgery is usually done at a doctor's office or outpatient surgery clinic. Your eyes may feel sore and swollen after surgery, but that should go away in 1 to 2 weeks. You may also have blurred vision as your eyes heal. You may need this surgery more than once to get the ciliary body to make less eye fluid.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Risks

It is very important to follow your doctor's treatment plan after surgery. If you do not follow the treatment plan, you may not have good results. There are always risks with cyclophotocoagulation. You may have a serious inflammation (redness and swelling) or pain. Your eye pressure could become too low. If this happens, you may lose more or all of your vision, or you may lose your eye. You could have bleeding inside your eye. Your doctor will watch you closely for these problems. Call your doctor if you are worried or have questions about your medicine or care.

Getting Ready

Before Surgery:

• Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits: For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.
  
  
• Arrange for an adult to drive you to and from your surgery.
  
  
• Do not drink alcohol 24 to 48 hours before surgery. Alcohol may dehydrate (d-HI-drate) you, making your eyes and body too dry for surgery and healing.

The Day of Surgery:

• Take your eye drops and other medicines as ordered. Bring the list of your medicines or bring your eye drops and pill bottles for your doctor to see.
  
  
• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your surgery.
  
  
• Do not wear earrings or hearing aids. If you bring a pager or cell phone, turn it off before you enter the laser room.
  
  
• Do not wear eye makeup. Do not wear perfume or lotion on your face.
  
  
• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Treatment

What Will Happen:

• You will be taken to a surgical room. A caregiver will put a cap on your head and wash the area around your eyes. You will be given eye drops and a shot to numb your eyes so you feel no pain. You may also be given medicine by mouth or through an IV to feel more relaxed. Before the surgery, caregivers help you get comfortable on a bed or in a special chair. A special pillow or face holder is used to keep your head still during surgery.
  
  
• Your doctor will apply the laser through the sclera to the ciliary body. The laser will damage parts of the ciliary body so it will make less eye fluid. After the laser treatment, you will be given eye drops or ointment to decrease inflammation (swelling and redness).

After Surgery:

You will be taken to a recovery area. You will be there until your doctor says you are ready to go home. You will usually be able to go home the same day of surgery. When it is time for you to go home after your surgery, someone will need to drive you home. Do not drive home alone. An adult should stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery.

Waiting Room:

This is a room where your family can wait until you are ready for visitors after surgery. Your doctor or nurse can find your family in this room to let them know how the surgery went. If your family leaves the clinic, ask them to leave a phone number where they can be reached.

Contact a caregiver if

• You cannot make it to your surgery appointment on time.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your surgery.

Seek Care Immediately if

• You have sudden, severe eye pain.
  
  
• You have a sudden change in your vision.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Cyclophotocoagulation For Glaucoma (Precare)