SLT is a new treatment, which makes it important to build awareness and understanding among your patients. To that end, the following information can be used to explain the various treatment options for glaucoma, including SLT’s role in managing the disease.

Glaucoma Treatment Options

Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG) has traditionally been treated with drug therapy to lower intraocular pressure and allow remaining nerve fibers to receive proper nourishment and maintain their function. Traditional drug therapy has been based on topical eye drops, including beta-blockers and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI), which decrease aqueous production. Newer drugs increase aqueuous outflow.

Unfortunately, there are numerous complications associated with long-term drug use, and many patients find that drug therapy does not effectively reduce IOP. Common side effects include allergic reactions, iris discoloration, drowsiness and burning sensations.

Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) was initially adopted as an alternative or adjunct to drug therapy. ALT is a microsurgical procedure that creates small holes within the trabecular meshwork (TM) to affect increased aqueous outflow. The photocoagulative thermal effects of ALT treatment, which cause permanent scarring to the TM, have limited its role in the management of glaucoma. Also, over 50 percent of ALT patients experience diminishing IOP lowering effects within five years of the procedure.

SLT Photoregeneration

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty has revolutionized the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. The SLT technique is not associated with adverse side effects and is a pain-free, outpatient-based procedure. SLT uses short pulses of low energy light to target the melanin-rich cells in the trabecular meshwork. The laser pulses affect only these melanin-containing cells, and the surrounding structure of the meshwork is unaffected. The body’s automatic response is to clear the affected cells and rebuild the meshwork, increasing aqueous outflow and reducing IOP.

SLT has been clinically proven to be as effective as ALT for lowering IOP, without the scarring associated with ALT. It can be considered a primary treatment option for patients who either cannot tolerate or are unable to self-administer glaucoma medications. SLT can also be used in conjunction with drug therapy to enhance the overall IOP-lowering effect.

Live SLT Treatment Video

View the intricacies of live Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty first hand. Filmed through the slitlamp eyepiece, this educational video illustrates the SLT procedure from the doctor's perspective. Ideal for use in educational programs and presentations, view this video now for your own clinical use.