Mr Doherty undertook undergraduate and postgraduate medical training in Newcastle upon Tyne before proceeding to Ophthalmology specialist training in both the Northern and Yorkshire Deaneries. He subsequently completed an eighteen-month Glaucoma subspeciality fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. He was appointed as a Consultant in Glaucoma and Cataract treatment at Sunderland Eye Infirmary in September 2013.
Glaucoma Laser Treatment
Intraocular pressure (IOP) is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). Laser can be used to reduce the IOP by either selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT Laser) or YAG laser iridotomy (YAG PI Laser).
Summary
Glaucoma laser treatment, in the form of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT Laser), is generally the first line of treatment recommended by for people with IOP of 24mmHg or more, primary angle closure glaucoma, and those at risk of visual impairment is (NICE). This treatment basically reduces the eyes production of aqueous fluid with a resulting decrease in the intraocular pressure.
Patients with narrow drainage angles who are experiencing, or at risk of, acute angle closure glaucoma can be specifically treated with a YAG laser iridotomy (YAG PI). This procedure creates a small peripheral hole in the iris to allow normal drainage of aqueous, markedly reducing the risk of a sudden intraocular pressure rise.
The Process
If you require any glaucoma laser treatment, either SLT and YAG PI, these will be performed as an outpatient procedure
After using an anaesthetic drop a special contact lens is placed on your eye
Laser treatment takes 10-15 minutes per eye
Following treatment you will be given anti-inflammatory drops to use for one week
Why MY Eye Clinic?
My Eye Clinic can provide expert consultant assessment of glaucoma.
The clinic has a full range of diagnostic equipment for glaucoma. This allows precise measurement of your corneal thickness, intraocular pressure and drainage angles. We can assess your peripheral vision will with automated visual field machine. We can image your optic nerves with detailed OCT scans.
My Eye Clinic has an excellent new laser machine that can perform selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT Laser) and YAG laser peripheral iridotomy (YAG PI Laser).
Your Consultants
Consultant Eye Surgeon with a specialist interest in Glaucoma
Mr El-Assal completed his Ophthalmology training in the North East of England. He accomplished his glaucoma sub-specialist fellowship in Moorfields Eye Hospital-London where he developed a special interest in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). He is currently working as a Consultant specialising in glaucoma and cataract surgery at Sunderland Eye Infirmary.
Costs
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, SLT (one eye)
£800
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, SLT (two eyes)
£1100
Yag Laser iridotomy (one eye)
£800
Yag Laser iridotomy (both eyes)
£1100
Risks
Temporary redness and discomfort
Transient blurring of vision
Temporary increase in intraocular pressure