Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI)

Protect your vision with LPI, a trusted laser treatment designed to improve fluid drainage and reduce the risk of angle-closure glaucoma.

Overview

LPI is a precise laser procedure designed to treat and prevent acute angle-closure glaucoma.

In patients at risk of this condition, the natural drainage pathway of the eye can become blocked, leading to a sudden and dangerous rise in eye pressure. LPI works by creating a tiny opening in the iris (the coloured part of the eye), allowing fluid to circulate more freely and preventing pressure build-up. This quick, minimally invasive treatment helps protect vision and reduce the risk of glaucoma-related complications.

How successful is LPI?

LPI is highly effective in reducing the risk of acute angle-closure glaucoma by improving drainage within the eye. For the majority of patients, the procedure successfully widens the drainage angle, preventing dangerous spikes in eye pressure and significantly lowering the likelihood of glaucoma-related complications.

However, in some cases, the drainage angle may remain narrow even after treatment. If this occurs, additional interventions may be required to protect the vision long-term. Our expert team will closely monitor your response to the procedure and guide you through the best course of action if further treatment is needed.

Can we help?

If you would like to know more about us, or want to make an appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Tel: 0203 411 1820

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Meet our Glaucoma specialists

Mr Mohsin Patel

MBBS BSc (Hons) FRCOphth PGdip CRS (Dist) CertLRS

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Mr Alastair Porteous

BSc(hons) MBBS FRCOphth PGCert(MedEd)

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What to expect

Before the procedure, we’ll check your vision and eye pressure, and you’ll be given an eye drop to help prevent a rise in eye pressure after treatment. You may also receive a drop to constrict your pupil, which can sometimes cause a mild headache around the forehead - this is normal and should pass quickly.
Your eye will be numbed with anaesthetic drops to keep you comfortable, and a special contact lens will be placed on your eye to help guide the laser. The procedure itself takes just 5-10 minutes.
We’ll check your eye pressure again about an hour after the procedure. If everything looks good, we’ll arrange a follow-up appointment for one week later to check your progress. You’ll be prescribed anti-inflammatory eye drops to aid recovery. These should be used every hour for the first 24 hours (with a break overnight) and then reduced to four times a day for the next week.