Another theory is that the injury of the laser burn itself stimulates cells in the trabecular meshwork to clean up accumulated debris that has been blocking the drain. Laser surgery is not a cure for open angle glaucoma. It should be thought of as adding another strong medication to the medications the patient is already taking. Occasionally, one or more of the drops that the patient has been taking can be stopped after a trabeculoplasty, but this is not usual. If the laser surgery is effective, the amount of intraocular pressure lowering slowly diminishes over time.
Little effect remains in most patients after three to five years.
In patients who had a fairly long-lasting effect from their original trabeculoplasty, the procedure can be repeated once. However, the drop in intraocular pressure the second time will not be as great as was initially seen. Immediately following the procedure, drops are used to lessen inflammation and lower eye pressure. The patient is asked to wait for approximately one hour after the laser so that the eye can be checked for any side effects. It is usual for the vision to be slightly blurred and the eye somewhat irritated for a day after the procedure.