Long-Term Outcomes of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) Treatment

Purpose: Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy that may lead to blindness. Reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) seems to be the only treatment that slows progression in glaucoma. IOP can be decreased by pharmaceutical treatment, laser treatment or surgery. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) treatment. Methods: Retrospective chart review of eyes that underwent SLT between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2005. The primary outcome measure was time to failure after SLT treatment. Failure after SLT was defined as any one or more of the following: change in the medical treatment, performance of a further SLT treatment, the patient being sent for surgery. All patients were treated over 90 degrees with SLT. Results: 120 eyes of 120 patients were identified. The average time to failure after SLT was 18 months. The success rate after 12 months was 62%, after 24 months 34%, after 36 months 28% and after 48 months 24%. Conclusions: The long-term effects of SLT when eyes were treated over 90 degrees seem to be low. The authors recommend treating patients over 180 degrees, as has traditionally been done. We suggest that this will improve the long-term results.