Huang Ophthalmology Center Inc.
650 W. Duarte Rd., Suite 100-D
Arcadia, CA 91007
ph: 626-446-6682
fax: 626-447-6680
huangoph
What is Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty and is it an effective treatment for glaucoma patients?
SLT is an effective form of in-office laser treatment for open-angle glaucoma to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. Because it is a cold laser, there is virtually no pain with the procedure and takes about 5-10 minutes per eye. Laser energy is directed to the drainage tissue in the eye (called the trabecular meshwork). This leads to increased drainage of fluid from the eye resulting in a lowering of the eye pressure. It may take approximately one to three months for the results to become apparent. Due to its excellent benefit-to-risk profile, SLT is used more as the initial or primary treatment instead of eye drop medications, or as additional treatment when medications do not adequately reduce the eye pressure.
While sometimes it is beneficial to treat the entire eye, other times it maybe more effective to treat half of the tissue on the first treatment and then the second half at a later date. In this instance where it is a two-step process, it is not considered a repeat treatment on the same eye, but rather a completion of the treatment.
SLT treatment is comparable to the IOP lowering of the most powerful and commonly used glaucoma medication without the trouble, side effects, allergies, forgetfulness, complicated eye drop schedules and cost savings of the medication. The stage of glaucoma in every patient is different. While some patients can be controlled with just the laser treatment, others may require additional glaucoma medications after the SLT procedure. In a nutshell, a SLT procedure is equivalent to one glaucoma medication. While some patients need one glaucoma medication, others may require more than one medication. Therefore, depending on your stage of glaucoma, the SLT procedure helps in reducing one of the medications you may need to use.
The SLT is often effective but that effectiveness may wear off after some period of time. The procedure can be repeated but the effect may be reduced with repeated treatment. As the damage from glaucoma cannot be reversed, SLT is not a cure for glaucoma but rather one of the several tools to keep the pressure under control and preventing it from becoming worse. Because it is a FDA approved, effective and an accepted glaucoma treatment, it is covered by Medicare and many medical insurances.
While everyone heals differently, most people can resume normal activities right after treatment. There are no restrictions in reading, watching TV, using your phone, tablet device, computer, etc. but you may tire more easily during these activities. If you feel any pain or discomfort, you can take Tylenol. If your eye has severe pain or sudden worsening pain or vision after laser, please call our office immediately.
One may experience all or none of these symptoms. These symptoms are usually transient and are gone within a few hours to a few days. For the next few days your eyes may experience:
· Redness, sensitivity to light, eye discomfort or a foreign body sensation in your eye for up to two days
· Temporary blurred vision is common up to 24 hours
· Temporary inflammation is common and is generally mild and can be treated with observation or eye drops.
· 5% Incidence of transient IOP elevation after laser which can be managed by glaucoma medications. This generally goes away after 24 hours.
Copyright 2009 Huang Ophthalmology Center Inc.. All rights reserved.
Huang Ophthalmology Center Inc.
650 W. Duarte Rd., Suite 100-D
Arcadia, CA 91007
ph: 626-446-6682
fax: 626-447-6680
huangoph