Laser glaucoma treatment
Laser treatment lowers eye pressure through different mechanisms.
Learn moreService options
Trabeculectomy
Trabeculectomy creates an additional route for aqueous outflow to lower eye pressure.
Learn moreGlaucoma drainage devices
Glaucoma drainage procedures improve aqueous outflow and lower eye pressure.
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About the service
Glaucoma treatment aims to lower intraocular pressure and preserve remaining visual function. Depending on disease stage and progression risk, care may involve drops, laser treatment or surgery.
Who the service is for
Confirmed glaucoma
If glaucoma has already been diagnosed, treatment needs to be selected or reviewed and intraocular pressure, visual field and optic nerve status monitored regularly.
Raised intraocular pressure
Raised intraocular pressure (IOP) alone does not always mean glaucoma is present. However, it requires a comprehensive assessment of the optic nerve and other risk factors to determine whether monitoring or treatment is needed.
Progression on visual fields or OCT
Progressive changes in the visual field, optic disc or nerve fibre layer may require more intensive treatment even without subjective symptoms.
When drops are insufficient
If target IOP is not reached, the disease continues to progress, medicines are poorly tolerated or the drop regimen is difficult to follow, the doctor may consider laser or surgical treatment.
Open-angle glaucoma
In open-angle glaucoma, the anterior chamber angle remains open, but fluid drainage through the eye’s drainage system is impaired or insufficient. The disease often develops gradually and can remain without obvious symptoms for a long time.
Angle-closure glaucoma
In angle-closure glaucoma, the iris partly or completely blocks the anterior chamber angle, preventing normal drainage of fluid. The disease may develop gradually, but an acute attack causes a sharp rise in IOP and requires emergency medical attention.
Secondary glaucoma
Raised IOP and optic nerve damage develop as a result of another eye disease, trauma, inflammation, vascular changes or other causes.
Congenital and childhood glaucoma
Rare forms requiring a separate assessment and treatment pathway with a paediatric ophthalmologist and ophthalmic surgeon.
Paediatric care pathway
Children with suspected congenital or juvenile glaucoma undergo specialist assessment by a paediatric ophthalmologist.
Paediatric surgery under compulsory health insurance
When the diagnosis is confirmed, necessary surgical treatment for children is provided free of charge under compulsory social health insurance, in accordance with applicable rules and treatment indications.
Individual treatment plan
Treatment is planned individually after a comprehensive ophthalmic examination.
Intraocular pressure
Glaucoma requires long-term, regular follow-up. Lowering intraocular pressure does not mean that the disease is cured: pressure, visual fields and the optic nerve still need monitoring after successful laser or surgical treatment. Existing glaucomatous optic nerve damage and the associated visual loss are generally irreversible.
Comprehensive diagnostics
The doctor measures pressure, assesses the optic nerve, field and anterior-chamber angle and requests further tests if needed, to confirm diagnosis, type and stage and establish baseline measurements.
Target pressure and treatment strategy
Disease stage, current pressure, progression rate, age and risk factors determine the target pressure and treatment strategy.
Signs of an acute attack
Severe eye pain, sudden blurred vision, a red eye, coloured halos around lights, marked headache, nausea or vomiting may indicate an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma. This requires urgent ophthalmic care and must not wait for a routine appointment.
Where to seek help during an acute attack
KazRIED is not an emergency medical service. If an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma is suspected, the patient must immediately contact emergency medical services or the nearest city hospital providing emergency ophthalmic care.
After the acute attack is controlled
Once the condition is stabilised and the acute attack is controlled, the patient may be referred to KazRIED for specialist assessment and further treatment planning.
Limitations and safety
Glaucoma requires long-term regular follow-up. Lower pressure does not mean cure: pressure, visual fields and the optic nerve need monitoring after successful laser or surgery. Existing glaucomatous damage and visual loss are generally irreversible. Treatment therefore aims to prevent or slow further progression and preserve remaining vision.
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Stages
Stage 1
Comprehensive diagnostics
The doctor measures pressure, assesses the optic nerve, visual field and anterior-chamber angle, and orders further tests when needed.
Stage 2
Target pressure and plan
Disease stage, current pressure, progression rate, age and risk factors determine the target pressure and treatment strategy.
Stage 3
Treatment.
Duration depends on the method.
Stage 4
Outcome review
After starting or changing treatment, the doctor assesses pressure, tolerability and eye health.
Stage 5
Follow-up over time
Follow-up is ongoing.
Stage 6
Postprocedure review
After glaucoma laser treatment, review is at one week, then according to indications and the individual follow-up plan.
Service benefits
Lower intraocular pressure
Reaching the target pressure helps reduce the risk of further optic nerve damage.
Preserving remaining vision
Treatment aims to protect remaining visual function; function already lost to glaucoma is usually not restored.
Selection of suitable treatment
Drops, laser and surgery are selected according to glaucoma type, pressure and optic nerve health.
Monitoring the outcome
Repeat pressure measurements, visual field testing and optic nerve assessment help evaluate treatment effectiveness.
Methods comparison
Criterion
Medication
Laser treatment
Trabeculectomy
Glaucoma drainage devices
Main role
Lowering pressure with medication
Improving outflow or reducing aqueous production, depending on the procedure
Creating an additional aqueous outflow route
Diverting aqueous through an implanted device
Incision / surgical access
Not required
Usually no incision
Surgical access required
Surgical access and implantation required
Implant in the eye
No
No
Usually no
Yes
Recovery
No postoperative period
Usually shorter than after filtering surgery
Postoperative recovery and monitoring required
Postoperative recovery and monitoring required
Can reduce the need for drops
No: treatment consists of medication
In some patients, but drops may still be needed
Possible, but not guaranteed
Possible, but not guaranteed
Repeat intervention or regimen change may be needed
Yes, the regimen may change
Yes, the effect may decrease over time
Yes, scarring or repeat surgery may occur
Yes, additional procedures may be needed
Restores vision already lost to glaucoma
No
No
No
No
Further monitoring required
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Suitability
Depends on type, stage, target pressure, comorbidities and tolerance
Depends on glaucoma form and anterior chamber angle anatomy
When medication and laser are ineffective, pressure control is insufficient and/or disease progresses, as determined by the surgeon
More often for complex or refractory glaucoma or a high risk of failure of other operations
Medication
Main role
Incision / surgical access
Implant in the eye
Recovery
Can reduce the need for drops
Repeat intervention or regimen change may be needed
Restores vision already lost to glaucoma
Further monitoring required
Suitability
Lowering pressure with medication
Not required
No
No postoperative period
No: treatment consists of medication
Yes, the regimen may change
No
Yes
Depends on type, stage, target pressure, comorbidities and tolerance
Improving outflow or reducing aqueous production, depending on the procedure
Usually no incision
No
Usually shorter than after filtering surgery
In some patients, but drops may still be needed
Yes, the effect may decrease over time
No
Yes
Depends on glaucoma form and anterior chamber angle anatomy
Creating an additional aqueous outflow route
Surgical access required
Usually no
Postoperative recovery and monitoring required
Possible, but not guaranteed
Yes, scarring or repeat surgery may occur
No
Yes
When medication and laser are ineffective, pressure control is insufficient and/or disease progresses, as determined by the surgeon
Diverting aqueous through an implanted device
Surgical access and implantation required
Yes
Postoperative recovery and monitoring required
Possible, but not guaranteed
Yes, additional procedures may be needed
No
Yes
More often for complex or refractory glaucoma or a high risk of failure of other operations
Book an appointment
Start with a glaucoma assessment The doctor will assess intraocular pressure, the optic nerve and visual field, determine the form and stage of the disease and suggest a treatment or monitoring plan.
Procedure prices
Service name
Price
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (per eye)
from 32 500 ₸
Trabeculectomy (per eye)
from 247 000 ₸
Trabeculectomy with a Glautex implant (per eye)
from 535 000 ₸
Trabeculectomy with a Repegel implant (per eye)
from 328 000 ₸
Cataract phacoemulsification with IOL + trabeculectomy (per eye)
from 496 000 ₸
Our doctors
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Experience: 34 years
Head
Dzhumataeva Zaure Asylkhanovna
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 25 years
Head
Aubakirova Alua Sauytbekovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 32 years
Sabyrbaev Nurlan Berdauletovich
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 27 years
Head
Tleubaeva Gulmira Bakhytovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 26 years
Ophthalmologist
Tuletova Aygerim Serikbaevna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 3 years
Ophthalmologist
Omarova Kymbat Omarovna
Master’s Student in Public Health
Experience: 24 years
Ophthalmologist (pediatric consultations)
Abakaeva Zhanna Bakirzhanovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 17 years
Ophthalmologist
Dzhapparkhanova Asel Urazovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 45 years
Ophthalmologist
Zhumataeva Svetlana Zeykenovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 13 years
Ophthalmologist
Kalshabekov Alibi Sembaevich
Highest-category ophthalmologist
What is glaucoma, and why does it need treatment?
Glaucoma is a chronic disease involving progressive damage to the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.
The most common forms may remain symptom-free for a long time, without pain or a noticeable reduction in central visual acuity.
In the early stages, localized areas of peripheral vision are often affected. Patients may not notice these changes because the other eye partially compensates for them.
What role does intraocular pressure play?
Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for the progression of glaucomatous damage and a key treatment target. Elevated IOP is the main modifiable risk factor, but glaucoma can also develop when pressure is within the statistically normal range.
A single IOP measurement is not sufficient to establish a diagnosis.
What is assessed during diagnosis?
A comprehensive assessment considers several findings:
- the condition and structure of the optic disc;
- the thickness and characteristics of the retinal nerve fiber layer;
- visual field test results;
- the anatomy of the anterior chamber angle;
- other clinical findings.
What is the goal of treatment?
The main goal is to slow or prevent further optic nerve damage and preserve vision. Visual function that has already been lost generally cannot be restored.
The clinician establishes an individual target IOP intended to minimize the risk of further progression, taking into account the condition of the optic nerve, glaucoma stage, and other risk factors.
How is glaucoma treated at KazRIED?
At KazRIED, treatment is planned after a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. It may include:
- medication to lower intraocular pressure;
- laser treatment;
- trabeculectomy;
- surgical implantation of glaucoma drainage devices.
The method is selected individually according to the type and stage of glaucoma, optic nerve condition, visual field findings, IOP, previous treatment, and coexisting conditions.
Why are laser treatments used?
Laser treatments improve the outflow of aqueous humor or, depending on the procedure, reduce its production.
The main methods include selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), laser iridotomy, and cyclophotocoagulation procedures.
The choice depends on the type and stage of glaucoma, the eye’s anatomy, and other clinical factors.
Treatment option details
Medical treatment
Eye drops and sometimes systemic medicines lower pressure. The doctor selects the medicine and regimen individually, considering efficacy, tolerance, other conditions and medicines.
Laser glaucoma treatment
The laser department currently performs these glaucoma laser procedures:
- Laser iridotomy;
- Goniosynechiotomy;
- Descemetogoniopuncture;
- Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT);
- Cyclophotocoagulation;
- Micropulse cyclophotocoagulation.
Trabeculectomy
In filtering surgery, the surgeon creates an additional aqueous outflow route to lower and control pressure.
Glaucoma drainage devices
For some glaucoma forms or complex disease, the surgeon may implant a drainage device creating an alternative outflow route.
Further procedure details
Comprehensive diagnostics
The doctor measures pressure, assesses the optic nerve, field and anterior-chamber angle and requests further tests if needed, to confirm diagnosis, type and stage and establish baseline measurements.
Treatment.
Duration depends on the method.
Treatment may start with pressure-lowering medicines or laser. Inadequate control, progression or certain glaucoma forms may require trabeculectomy or drainage implantation.
Outcome review
Pressure, tolerability and eye health are assessed after starting or changing treatment. Laser and surgery have separately determined review schedules.
Follow-up over time
Follow-up is ongoing.
Glaucoma remains chronic even with good pressure control. The doctor periodically repeats pressure measurement, perimetry and optic nerve tests to detect progression and adjust treatment.
Postprocedure review
After glaucoma laser treatment, review is at one week, then according to indications and the individual follow-up plan.
After surgery, the first check is a few hours later and the next on the following day. During the first days, examinations follow the doctor's schedule, then indications and an individual plan during the first month. Frequency depends on surgery type, pressure, the surgical site and postoperative recovery.
Additional advice and situations
Preparation for laser treatment
Preparation for surgery. Ophthalmic and general preoperative examinations are required before surgery. The tests, specialist consultations and their validity periods are determined by KazRIED’s internal protocol and the patient’s condition.
Preoperative preparation
Surgery requires ophthalmic and general preoperative assessment. Tests, consultations and validity periods depend on KazRIED's protocol and the patient's condition.
Postoperative follow-up
Filtering or drainage glaucoma operations require regular reviews, particularly early after surgery. The doctor assesses pressure, the surgical site, inflammation and healing, adjusting treatment promptly if recovery differs from the expected course.
The table compares treatment burden and organisational features, not clinical efficacy. Selection depends on glaucoma type and stage, target pressure, progression rate, eye anatomy and previous treatment.
Further information
Patients often regard intraocular pressure as the sole measure of glaucoma.
That is an oversimplification.
Some people have high pressure for years without optic nerve damage, while others develop glaucoma changes within the usual statistical pressure range.
The doctor therefore assesses pressure alongside optic nerve structure, nerve fibre layer, visual fields, corneal thickness, anterior-chamber angle anatomy and changes over time.
These findings together allow risk assessment and treatment selection.
Stages of glaucoma assessment and treatment
Related information: Glaucoma diagnosis.
Facts and offers
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve and can progressively cause irreversible visual-field loss and reduced visual function. Raised intraocular pressure is an important risk factor, but glaucoma can also occur within the statistically normal pressure range.
Can glaucoma be cured completely?
Most forms of glaucoma require long-term or lifelong monitoring. Treatment aims to reduce the risk of further optic-nerve damage, primarily by controlling intraocular pressure. Regular follow-up generally remains necessary even when treatment is successful.
Will glaucoma treatment restore lost vision?
The primary goal of treatment is to preserve remaining visual function and prevent or slow further damage. Vision already lost because of irreversible glaucomatous optic-nerve damage is generally not restored.
Does glaucoma always mean high intraocular pressure?
No. Glaucomatous optic-nerve damage can occur within the statistically normal IOP range. Conversely, some people have raised IOP without glaucomatous damage. Diagnosis is therefore not based on pressure measurement alone.
Can glaucoma develop without symptoms?
Yes. Primary open-angle glaucoma often develops gradually and may cause no noticeable symptoms for a long time. Early visual-field damage may go unnoticed, making examination especially important in people with risk factors.
Which glaucoma symptoms require urgent care?
Severe eye pain, sudden blurred or reduced vision, marked redness, halos around lights, severe headache, nausea or vomiting can occur with acute angle closure. This requires urgent ophthalmic assessment.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on multiple findings. Assessment includes intraocular pressure, the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibre layer, visual field and anterior-chamber angle. OCT, perimetry, gonioscopy, pachymetry and other tests are used when appropriate.
What is target intraocular pressure?
Target IOP is an individualized pressure level or range at which the risk of further glaucomatous damage is expected to be sufficiently low. Baseline IOP, disease stage, optic-nerve and visual-field status, rate of progression, age and other factors are considered. The target may be revised during follow-up.
How is glaucoma treatment selected?
Treatment depends on glaucoma type and stage, angle anatomy, baseline and target IOP, rate of progression, optic-nerve and visual-field status, previous treatment, medication tolerance, other ocular disease and the patient’s general health.
Will I need glaucoma eye drops long term?
If pressure-lowering drops are prescribed for ongoing IOP control, they should be used as directed even when there are no symptoms. Medication should not be stopped or changed without medical advice. Laser or surgery may alter the need for drops.