Recovery and Aftercare After Laser Treatment in UK (2025 Guide)
Recovering from glaucoma laser treatment is an important step toward protecting your vision and preventing further optic nerve damage. Patients in the UK benefit from well-established treatment protocols and comprehensive follow-up care, ensuring that recovery is smooth and effective.
Immediate Post-Treatment Recovery
After a laser trabeculoplasty or laser iridotomy, most patients are able to go home the same day. Vision may be slightly blurred for a few hours, and mild discomfort or light sensitivity is common. Your eye specialist will typically prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops to reduce irritation and prevent inflammation.
You may notice:
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Mild redness or tearing
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Slight stinging or irritation
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Temporary blurring of vision
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Sensitivity to bright lights
These effects usually resolve within 24–48 hours.
Follow-Up Appointments and Monitoring
Regular follow-up is crucial after laser glaucoma surgery. Your ophthalmologist will check your intraocular pressure (IOP) within a few hours or the next day to confirm that the procedure was effective. Additional appointments may be scheduled over the next several weeks to ensure that IOP remains within the target range.
Skipping follow-up appointments can result in missed pressure spikes, so it’s important to stick to your doctor’s schedule.
Read our U.K. glaucoma surgery price comparison guide.
https://glaucoma.ph/glaucoma-surgery-cost-uk-2025/
Activity Restrictions During Recovery
Most patients can return to normal activities within a day or two, but certain precautions are recommended:
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Avoid rubbing or pressing on the eye
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Skip strenuous exercise for at least 24–48 hours
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Follow your doctor’s instructions about resuming contact lens use
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Take prescribed eye drops exactly as directed
Driving should be postponed until your vision clears and your ophthalmologist confirms that it’s safe.
Managing Discomfort and Side Effects
While serious complications are rare, you should contact your doctor if you experience:
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Severe pain that does not improve
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Sudden loss of vision
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Significant swelling or discharge
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Persistent halos or flashes of light
Prompt reporting ensures any issues are treated quickly, protecting your vision.
Long-Term Care After Laser Treatment
Laser treatment helps lower IOP, but glaucoma is a lifelong condition. Your doctor may recommend:
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Ongoing use of pressure-lowering eye drops
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Periodic laser retreatment if pressure rises again
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Regular eye exams every few months to monitor optic nerve health
The goal is to maintain stable pressure and prevent further vision loss.
Expected Results
In many patients, laser trabeculoplasty lowers eye pressure by 20–30%, which may reduce or even eliminate the need for daily eye drops for a period of time. However, results vary depending on the severity of the disease and how your eye responds to treatment.
