Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

What is selective laser trabeculoplasty?

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a surgery to lower inner eye pressure that results from open-angle glaucoma when medications aren’t enough.

Open-angle glaucoma is a condition where pressure builds up around your optic nerve inside your eye because of excess fluids. Age-related changes can obstruct the natural drainage system of your eye and prevent fluids from draining away. Without treatment, this type of glaucoma damages the optic nerve and leads to blindness.

The SLT procedure involves directing laser energy into select cells in the trabecular meshwork tissue of your eye to enhance the drainage of excess fluids. As fluids flow more freely away from the eye, it can lower high inner eye pressure and prevent damage to your optic nerve.

The cold laser Dr. Prince uses focuses on select pigments in the tissue, which absorb the energy to increase drainage.

Why do I need selective laser trabeculoplasty?

You may be a candidate for SLT if you have primary or secondary open-angle glaucoma and other therapies aren’t reducing your inner eye pressure.

Dr. Prince and his medical team offer comprehensive eye evaluations to measure inner eye pressure and determine if you’re a candidate for SLT.

How effective is selective laser trabeculoplasty?

SLT procedures can help lower your inner eye pressure by about 30% when Dr. Prince uses it as your initial treatment. The results of SLT can last up to five years in many people, and even longer in others.

If you develop new issues with inner eye pressure due to open-angle glaucoma, Dr. Prince can repeat SLT or discuss your other options for treatment. Following SLT, Dr. Prince can determine if you need to continue taking glaucoma medications to control fluid pressure in your eye.

In the event you don’t benefit from SLT, Dr. Prince and the team at Andrew M. Prince MD Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Surgery offer other types of glaucoma laser surgery to reduce your risk for permanent optic nerve damage and blindness.

To discuss the benefits of selective laser trabeculoplasty with Dr. Prince, call the office of Andrew M. Prince MD Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Surgery nearest you.