Methods of transverse placement in ELT

Abstract

Glaucoma patients suffer from increased intraocular pressure due to blocked fluid flow from the anterior chamber of the eye. Methods of the invention include inserting a probe into an eye of a subject having glaucoma, adjusting placement of the probe to a position transverse to Schlemm's canal in the eye, and applying a plurality of shots from an excimer laser source while the probe is in the transverse position, thereby treating glaucoma by creating a plurality of perforations in Schlemm's canal and/or the trabecular meshwork. By providing a laser probe at a position transverse to Schlemm's canal, energy from the laser is delivered to a greater amount of surface area than if the laser was arranged in a parallel or perpendicular position to Schlemm's canal, resulting in optimal formation of perforations. The perforations allow for drainage of fluid and increased outflow of aqueous humor in the eye.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.