If your eye doctor mentioned that you have narrow angles, your first reaction might be worry. But narrow angles are a common finding — and in many cases, a quick, preventive laser procedure can significantly reduce your risk of a serious problem down the road. It’s called laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI), and Dr. Dale performs it right here in our North Bend office.
If you’ve been told you have “narrow angles,” you’re not alone — and you’re not in danger right this moment. Let’s break down what it actually means.
Inside your eye, fluid is constantly being produced and drained. The drainage happens through a structure called the “angle” — the space where the iris meets the cornea. In some people, this angle is naturally narrower than average. That’s what “narrow angles” means.
Having narrow angles doesn’t mean you have glaucoma — but it does mean the drainage pathway could become blocked, which would cause a sudden, dangerous rise in eye pressure. Understanding where you fall on the spectrum is key to deciding what, if anything, to do about it.
This is the most common finding. Your angles are narrow, but nothing is blocked and there’s no damage. The risk of a problem developing is actually quite low — less than 1% per year, based on recent studies (ZAP, ANA-LIS).
Not everyone with narrow angles needs LPI. For many patients, careful monitoring is a perfectly reasonable approach.
But LPI may be recommended if:
If the angle has started to close and pressure is rising — or there’s early damage to the optic nerve — LPI is generally recommended. The goal is to open the drainage pathway before more damage occurs.
In some cases, especially if you also have cataracts, cataract surgery may actually be the better option. The EAGLE trial showed that removing the natural lens opens the angle more effectively than LPI alone. Dr. Dale will discuss which approach makes more sense for you.
This is an eye emergency — sudden severe eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, halos around lights, a red eye. The drainage system blocks suddenly and pressure spikes to dangerous levels.
If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency care immediately — don’t wait for a scheduled appointment.
After the crisis is stabilized with medications, LPI is performed to prevent it from happening again. We typically treat the other eye preventively as well, since it’s at similar risk.
Bottom line: If your eye doctor mentioned narrow angles at your last exam, don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either. A consultation with Dr. Dale can help you understand your specific risk and whether LPI or monitoring is the right approach for you.
If you’re not sure whether LPI is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Dale. She’ll evaluate your angles, review your risk factors, and give you an honest recommendation — including if monitoring alone is the better choice. If you decide to proceed, we’ll schedule the laser for a separate visit.
If your eye doctor has already recommended LPI and you’re ready to move forward, we can do your consultation and laser treatment in the same appointment. This is a convenience option — you’re never locked in. If Dr. Dale evaluates your eyes and recommends a different approach, that’s what we’ll do.
Not necessarily. Narrow angles are common, and the risk of a serious problem is low for many patients. Whether LPI makes sense depends on how narrow your angles are, whether there’s any early closure or pressure elevation, your medications, your access to emergency care, and other factors. Dr. Dale will evaluate your specific situation and give you an honest recommendation — including if monitoring alone is the better choice.
Acute angle closure is a sudden blockage of the eye’s drainage system that causes a rapid, dangerous rise in eye pressure. Symptoms include severe eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights. It’s rare, but it’s an emergency. Having narrow angles puts you at higher risk, which is why we monitor closely and discuss preventive options like LPI.
Most patients feel mild discomfort or a brief sensation during the laser pulses, but it’s very tolerable. The eye is numbed beforehand, and the whole procedure takes just a few minutes.
No. The opening is tiny and placed beneath your upper eyelid where it’s not visible. Rarely, some patients notice a faint line of light in certain conditions, but this is uncommon.
It depends on your situation. Research (the EAGLE trial) has shown that for patients with more advanced angle closure or elevated pressure, cataract surgery often provides better long-term angle opening and pressure control than LPI — because removing the natural lens creates more space inside the eye. For patients with narrow angles alone and no pressure problems, LPI or even careful monitoring may be all that’s needed.
Dr. Dale will walk you through which approach makes the most clinical sense for your eyes — and the practical considerations like insurance coverage and timing. The right answer is different for every patient.
LPI is a medically indicated procedure and is typically covered by medical insurance when the clinical criteria are met. That said, coverage varies by plan, and the specifics depend on your diagnosis and your insurer’s requirements. Our team can help you understand what to expect before you schedule. If you have questions about cost, just ask — we’d rather you know upfront than be surprised later.
Some medications — including certain cold medicines, allergy medications, and antidepressants — can trigger angle closure in people with narrow angles. This is one of the reasons LPI may be recommended even if your angles are just mildly narrow. If you’re unsure about a specific medication, ask your eye care provider.
Just let us know you’re interested — you can click the button below to request a consultation and Sabrina, our surgery coordinator, will be in touch. Or call any of our three locations directly. We’ll take it from there, including getting any records we need from your referring doctor. You don’t need to do anything special.
Dr. Dale performs laser peripheral iridotomy at our North Bend office. She’ll evaluate your angles, discuss your options, and — if LPI is the right choice — perform the procedure.
Our optometrists are often the first to identify narrow angles during your regular eye exams. They’ll refer you to Dr. Dale when a consultation is needed, and continue managing your overall eye health.
Fill out the form below and we’ll reach out to you shortly.
We’ll reach out to you shortly.
Prefer to call? Reach us at 425.831.2020
No referral needed. New patients always welcome.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rebecca Dale, MD — April 1, 2026
