Evaluation of selective laser trabeculoplasty as an intraocular pressure lowering option.

Purpose: Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is one of the many treatment options for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SLT.

Methods: Data were collected from medical records of 289 patients who underwent SLT treatment (180° of trabecular meshwork) during 2014 and 2015 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden. Baseline characteristics and information from a follow-up within 100 days were also recorded. The study analysed different subtypes of glaucoma with regard to SLT, with a particular focus on exfoliative glaucoma, a common subtype in Sweden. Successful treatment was defined as an IOP lowering effect of >20% with no further changes in treatment. The impact of surgeon's experience on treatment outcome was also analysed.

Results: Both patients with exfoliative glaucoma and those with primary open-angle glaucoma showed a reduction in mean IOP; no significant difference was found between these two subtypes before treatment or at the first follow-up. The success rate at follow-up (within 100 days) was 52%. There was a significant difference in outcome between surgeons with different levels of experience, but this difference could likely be explained by differences in treatment strategies and total energy used.

Conclusion: For many patients with glaucoma, SLT was an effective treatment option for lowering IOP. It was also effective for several glaucoma subtypes. However, not all patients had a significant reduction in IOP after treatment with SLT, and some may require additional treatment.