Laser Peripheral Iridotomy

When the passageway to the drains of the eye becomes narrow, among the first steps in preventing it from closing completely is placement of a laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). The LPI can be thought of as a trap door that can be used to allow fluid to escape in the event that the angle closes off and the pressure in the eye begins to rise.  In this procedure, laser energy is used to make a tiny hole in the iris.  This hole helps alter anatomy inside the eye to maintain a more open passageway to normalize intraocular pressure in the event it should should to increase.