What laser procedure produces new channels to drain fluid within the trabecular meshwork?

The procedure that produces new channels to drain fluid within the trabecular meshwork is Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT). This laser therapy specifically targets the trabecular meshwork, which is a structure involved in the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye. By using focused light from an argon laser, ALT creates small burns in the trabecular meshwork, facilitating better drainage of the fluid. This reduction in intraocular pressure can be particularly beneficial for patients with conditions like glaucoma, as it helps to prevent damage to the optic nerve caused by elevated pressure.

Other procedures listed do not address fluid drainage in the trabecular meshwork. For instance, laser peripheral iridotomy creates an opening in the peripheral iris to relieve pressure in cases of angle-closure glaucoma, but it does not directly improve drainage through the trabecular meshwork. Phototherapeutic keratectomy, on the other hand, is a procedure designed to reshape the cornea for refractive surgery, while tarsorrhaphy involves the surgical narrowing or closing of the eyelids, which does not relate to fluid drainage within the eye. Thus, ALT is the specific laser procedure aimed at enhancing the outflow of aqueous humor through the trabecular