Otolaryngology

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2006
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 75 KB
• Volume: 38
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0196-8092
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.20318

✦ Synopsis

Background: Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) uses a q-switched frequency doubled (532 nm) Nd:YAG laser to treat the trabeculum meshwork of the eye without causing thermal nor coagulative damage to surrounding structures. Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of SLT as repeat treatment and its effectiveness in maintaining lower intraocular pressure (IOP) over three years in patients with glaucoma. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 1029 eyes treated with SLT between 01/2002-07/2005. 101 eyes out of 919 eyes (11%) initially treated with SLT required one retreatment. IOP for 86 eyes was followed for an average of 2.5 years. Two-tailed paired t-test was used to compare maximum pre-procedure IOP with post-procedure IOP.

Results: There was a 27% decrease in IOP and a 48% decrease in number of meds after initial SLT and 32% decrease in IOP and 49% decrease in number of meds after repeat SLT. For 86 eyes that were followed for three years, mean follow up was 935 days; the average decrease in IOP was 33% at 1 year, 35% at 2 years, and 34% at 3 years. All results were significant with a p-value<0.01. Conclusions: SLT was effective as repeat treatment and was effective in maintaining lower intraocular pressure over 3 years in patients with glaucoma.