Laser iridotomy in Turkey: what it is and how it works
Laser iridotomy is a short eye procedure in which a laser makes a tiny hole, about the size of a pinprick, in the outer edge of the iris (the coloured part of the eye). The purpose is to give the fluid inside the eye (aqueous humour) a second route from behind the iris to the front of the eye. In some eyes the iris is pushed forward and blocks the drainage angle, so pressure builds up and the eye is at risk of angle-closure glaucoma. By equalising the pressure on either side of the iris, the opening allows it to fall back and the drainage angle to widen.
The treatment is used both to prevent an attack in eyes with narrow angles and, as an urgent measure, to treat an acute attack. This guide explains how it works, what the evidence says about who actually benefits, what it costs compared with the UK, US and Germany and how to check a clinic. It belongs to our section on eye treatments in Turkey.
Why do some eyes need an opening in the iris?
Fluid is made constantly inside the eye and drains through a mesh at the angle where the iris meets the cornea. In an eye with a naturally shallow front chamber, which is more common in long-sighted people, in older age and in people of East Asian descent, the iris can bulge forward. That bulge is called pupillary block. If the angle closes suddenly, pressure rises sharply and causes a painful red eye, blurred vision, haloes, headache and sometimes nausea. This is an emergency that can permanently damage the optic nerve within hours. If the angle closes more slowly, pressure rises silently and glaucoma develops without pain. Laser iridotomy treats the cause of the pupillary block, not the optic nerve damage itself.
How is laser iridotomy performed, step by step?
The procedure takes about 10 to 20 minutes per eye in a clinic and needs no cuts. Drops are given first: one to make the pupil smaller and thin the iris, a numbing drop, and often a drop to prevent a pressure spike afterwards. A special contact lens is placed on the eye to focus the laser. The surgeon uses an Nd:YAG laser, and sometimes an argon laser as well, to deliver a series of short pulses through the lens into the upper part of the iris, usually under the eyelid so that the hole is hidden. You may feel brief stinging or a pinching sensation and see flashes of light. When a clear opening is confirmed, the contact lens is removed, and the eye pressure is checked about an hour afterwards before you leave.
Does laser iridotomy work? What the evidence says
For an acute angle-closure attack and for eyes in which the angle has already begun to close, iridotomy is a standard treatment and relieves pupillary block. For people who simply have narrow angles but no damage (so-called primary angle-closure suspects), the picture is more nuanced. A large randomised trial in China known as ZAP found that treating one eye with iridotomy reduced the chance of angle closure over several years, but the absolute difference was small, because most untreated narrow-angle eyes did not develop closure in that time. For that reason, guidelines and many specialists treat selected high-risk eyes rather than every narrow angle, and a good clinic will explain why they recommend treatment for you. An iridotomy does not lower pressure in eyes that already have damaged drainage, and it does not cure glaucoma.
Laser iridotomy cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
These approximate ranges are per eye and are not hospital quotes. Each hospital confirms its own price after an eye examination.
| Country | Approximate cost range (per eye) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €150 – €550 |
| United Kingdom | €450 – €1,300 |
| United States | €600 – €2,200 |
| Germany | €350 – €1,000 |
What changes the price: one eye or both, the examination and scans (angle imaging, pressure measurement) included, the type of laser, the follow-up pressure checks and whether a glaucoma specialist operates. Ask what is included in the written quote, for example the first examination, the procedure, drops and the check after one to two weeks.
Laser iridotomy, lens surgery or other glaucoma treatment?
The right treatment depends on whether the angle is only narrow or has closed, on the pressure and on the state of the optic nerve and the lens. The table sets out the usual options. Our overview of glaucoma treatment covers the long-term picture.
| Option | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Laser iridotomy | Narrow angles with pupillary block, acute attack, high-risk fellow eye | Does not treat nerve damage; may need repeating if the hole closes |
| Clear lens or cataract surgery | Angle closure with a thickened lens, or a cataract already present | An operation inside the eye; see cataract surgery |
| Pressure-lowering drops | Raised pressure or established glaucoma | Daily use; does not remove pupillary block |
| Glaucoma surgery | Advanced or uncontrolled glaucoma | Greater risks; see glaucoma surgery |
The European EAGLE trial found that clear lens extraction was a reasonable first treatment for some people with angle-closure glaucoma, so a specialist may discuss it with you rather than offering iridotomy alone.
Who is a good candidate for laser iridotomy, and who is not?
You are more likely to be offered the procedure if you have a narrow drainage angle on examination with signs of risk, have had an acute attack in one eye (the other eye is usually treated to prevent one), have a family history of angle-closure glaucoma, or if your angle is closing. It is less suited if the cornea is cloudy so that the laser cannot be focused, if the anterior chamber is extremely shallow, if the eye is already inflamed or the problem is open-angle glaucoma, in which case an iridotomy does not help. Do not delay: if you have a painful red eye with blurred vision, haloes and headache, go to an emergency eye service where you live; this is not a condition to plan a trip abroad around.
What does laser iridotomy feel like, and what is recovery?
Most people describe a brief sting or flicker with each pulse, and a mild ache in the eye or brow afterwards. Vision is blurred for several hours because of the contact lens gel and the drops, so do not plan to drive straight away. You will usually be prescribed anti-inflammatory steroid drops for about a week, and the eye pressure is checked on the day and again after one to two weeks. Many people return to normal activity the next day. Seek urgent help if the eye becomes painful and red, vision falls or the pressure feels high.
Laser iridotomy trip to Turkey and what results to expect
Because the procedure is brief, a stay of about two to three days is usually enough: examination and scans, the laser treatment, and a check the next day or after a few days. The result is a small hole that you cannot feel. The success of the treatment is judged by the examination: the angle looks wider and the pressure remains stable. Some people notice glare, lines or ghost images if the opening lies uncovered by the upper lid, and a small number need a second laser session because the hole closes or is too small. You still need regular eye examinations for life, because narrow angles and glaucoma can develop further.
Risks and complications of laser iridotomy
The risks are low but real. A short rise in eye pressure after treatment is the most common, which is why pressure is checked. Others are inflammation, a small bleed from the iris, blurred vision for a few hours, glare or ghost images, closure of the hole, burns to the cornea and, rarely, a lens that develops cloudiness. The NHS and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists describe the procedure as a low-risk treatment that should be done by trained eye specialists. Ask the doctor which risks apply to your eye and how any problems will be treated after you leave Turkey.
How to choose an eye hospital and which questions to ask
Look for an ophthalmologist who treats glaucoma, a hospital with angle imaging and pressure measurement equipment, and a written plan that includes follow-up. Red flags include a quote without a full eye examination, treatment recommended for every narrow angle without explanation, no plan for a pressure check after the laser and pressure to book quickly. Read how our process works and request a plan through our free quote page.
- Does my eye need an iridotomy now, and how did you decide?
- Do I have narrow angles only, or has angle closure already begun?
- Should clear lens or cataract surgery be considered instead?
- Which follow-up checks are needed, and who does them at home?
- What should I do if I develop pain or a red eye after returning?
Hospitals with Eye Surgery in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
It is a short outpatient procedure in which a laser makes a tiny hole in the edge of the iris so that fluid can flow past a blockage. It prevents or treats angle-closure glaucoma caused by pupillary block.
It reliably relieves pupillary block and is a standard treatment for an acute attack. For narrow angles without damage, trial evidence shows only a small absolute benefit, so treatment is aimed at higher-risk eyes.
Approximate ranges are €150 to €550 per eye in Turkey, against about €450 to €1,300 in the UK. Price depends on the examination, scans and follow-up included; the hospital confirms it in a written quote.
The eye is numbed with drops. Most people feel a brief sting or pinch with each laser pulse, and a mild ache in the eye or brow afterwards that usually settles within a day.
Vision is blurred for a few hours, and many people resume normal activity the next day. Steroid drops are used for about a week, with pressure checks on the day and one to two weeks later.
A short rise in eye pressure, inflammation, glare or ghost images and mild blurring are possible. Rarely the hole closes, bleeds or affects the cornea or lens, and a repeat treatment may be needed.
No. It treats the blockage that can cause angle-closure glaucoma, but it does not repair nerve damage or treat open-angle glaucoma, so regular eye checks still continue.
In some eyes with angle closure, removing the lens is an alternative, particularly when a cataract is present. A glaucoma specialist weighs the options for your eye.
Often yes. After an acute attack in one eye, the other is usually treated to prevent one, because both eyes tend to share the same narrow anatomy.
About two to three days is usual, covering the examination, the laser and a pressure check. An acute painful red eye needs emergency care where you live, not travel.