The Influence of Topical Prostaglandin Analogues in Inflammation After Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Treatment

Purpose: Reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) seems to be the only treatment that slows progression in glaucoma. The IOP can be decreased by pharmaceutical treatment, laser [ selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)] treatment, or surgery. Prostaglandin analogues have been postulated to share action mechanisms with SLT and to possibly diminish the effects of SLT treatment. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of prostaglandin analogues in inflammation and IOP reduction after SLT treatment. Methods: Prospective nonrandomized study. One hundred and eighteen patients were included in the study. Inclusion criteria: Glaucoma (open-angle or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma) patients who will be treated with SLT. Inflammation was measured with a laser flare meter (Kowa FM-500). Measurements were made before SLT and then 2 h, 1 week, and 1 month after SLT treatment. IOP was also checked at the same time intervals. The SLT treatment was performed over 90 degrees. All patients were divided into two groups: those receiving prostaglandins analogues and those treated with nonprostaglandin analogues. Results: Inflammation before and after SLT showed no significant difference between the groups at all the time intervals studied (t-test, before: P = 0.16; 2 h: P = 0.14; 1 week: P = 0.12; and 1 month: P = 0.36). IOP reduction showed no significant difference between the groups (t-test, P = 0.31). Conclusions: SLT treatment effects do not seem to be influenced by the use of prostaglandin analogues.