Refractive Surgery Blog

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a treatment modality for both glaucoma and ocular hypertension that has been gaining popularity in recent years. The procedure works by targeting only pigmented cells inside the drainage area (trabecular meshwork) of the eye. By treating these cells, the normal "scavenger" cells of the body kick into action and clean out the drainage meshwork. With this form of treatment there is no thermal injury to the structures inside the eye.

Advantages of this form of Glaucoma treatment are associated with fewer side effects from medications, less expense for patients and third-party payers and compliance becomes a non-issue. And, since there is no thermal injury with this type of laser (frequency-doubled Nd:YAG), it can be repeated if the effects wear off.

While in the community of ophthalmologists the positive effects of SLT treatment are well known and accepted, a recent multi-center study was performed to compare SLT treatment to the traditional pharmacological approach to controlling intraocular pressure (IOP). In that study, 72 participants (136 eyes) who were randomly assigned to receive either the SLT or medical (eye drops) treatment. After eight months of follow-up, the target intraocular pressure was reached in the majority of eyes in each group and the pressure lowering effects of SLT and medical therapy were essentially equal.

I am now offering SLT as a first-line therapy in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. It is my hope that side effects associated with drug therapy, adherence issues and cost can be reduced for patients with this chronic disease.

Read more about the the latest technologies used in our office.

Stuart Lewis, MD

Labels: Glaucoma/Ocular Hypertension (SLT)