Alterations in Biomechanical Properties of the Cornea After Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

Aim: To investigate changes in corneal biomechanical properties after selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). Methods: Patients who have received SLT and underwent evaluation of corneal biomechanical properties by ocular response analyzer (ORA) in the preoperative period, one week, and one month after SLT were analyzed. Statistical analyzes were performed by examining pre- and post-SLT examination findings and ORA measurement values from the patient's files. Results: The mean corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOP) values were found to be significantly reduced one week and one month after the SLT than the values before the treatment (17.14 +/- 4.06 mmHg, and 16.91 +/- 3.55 mmHg, 19.96 +/- 5.00 mmHg; respectively; p=0.004). The mean corneal hysteresis (CH) measurements one week and one month after the SLT were not different from the preoperative measurements (9.89 +/- 2.17, 10.12 +/- 1.90, and 9.81 +/- 2.46, respectively) (p=0.662). The mean corneal resistance factor (CRF) measured prior to the SLT was higher than that in the first week and first month after SLT (11.09 +/- 2.08, 10.16 +/- 2.04 and 10.39 +/- 2.13, respectively) (p=0.002). Conclusion: CH was found to be unchanged, while CRF was found to be decreased. The development of 10P reduction without statistically unaffected changes in CH and decreased CRF suggests that SLT does not have a significant side effect on the structural integrity of the cornea.