During which procedure is a small circular hole created in the iris using a laser?

The creation of a small circular hole in the iris using a laser is characteristic of a laser iridotomy. This procedure is specifically designed to treat conditions such as angle-closure glaucoma, where there is an obstruction preventing proper fluid drainage from the eye. By creating this opening with a laser, the procedure allows for the establishment of a new pathway for aqueous humor to flow, thereby reducing intraocular pressure.

In contrast, iridectomy and peripheral iridectomy involve the surgical removal of a portion of the iris but do not specifically refer to the use of laser technology to make a hole. These procedures may be performed using surgical instruments rather than laser. Corneal perforation does not relate to iris manipulation but rather refers to a defect or hole in the cornea itself, which is unrelated to the treatment of iris-related conditions. Overall, laser iridotomy is crucial in managing certain types of glaucoma by effectively utilizing laser technology for iris alteration.