Deep research and expert guides on maintaining your visual health.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty in the Era of OTC Blood Thinners: Hyphema and IOP Spikes Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) and Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) are laser treatments used to lower eye pressure in glaucoma. SLT uses a short, low-energy laser pulse to target just the pigmented cells of the eye’s drainage mesh (the trabecular meshwork) (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), whereas ALT (older te...
An IOP spike refers to a sudden rise in the fluid pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure. Normal pressure helps the eye maintain its shape and function, but a sharp increase can stress the optic nerve and other eye tissues. Causes include blocked drainage of the eye’s fluid, internal bleeding, inflammation, certain drugs, or reactions after eye procedures. People may experience eye pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, headache, nausea, or they may have no symptoms at all. Measuring pressure with a tonometer is the reliable way to detect a spike. Treatment focuses on quickly lowering pressure and can include eye drops, oral or intravenous medicines, laser therapy, or surgery in severe cases. Prompt care matters because sustained high pressure can damage the optic nerve and lead to permanent vision loss. If you notice sudden visual changes or severe eye pain, quick evaluation is important to protect sight.
