Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) - Harvard Eye Associates

Also known as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, SLT is a simple, yet highly effective laser procedure that reduces the intraocular pressure associated with ... 949–951–2020RequestanAppointment949–951–2020RequestanAppointmentSelectiveLaserTrabeculoplasty(SLT)WhatisSLT?AlsoknownasSelectiveLaserTrabeculoplasty,SLTisasimple,yethighlyeffectivelaserprocedurethatreducestheintraocularpressureassociatedwithglaucoma.Itisperformedinyourophthalmologist’sofficeandtypicallytakesnomorethanfiveminutes.Howdoesitwork?SLTusesshortpulsesoflow-energylighttotargetthemelanin,orpigment,inspecificcellsoftheaffectedeye.Inresponse,thebody’snaturalhealingmechanismsgotoworktorebuildthesecells.Thisrebuildingprocessimprovesdrainageandlowersintraocularpressure.Thesurrounding,non-pigmentedcells–aswellastherestoftheeyestructure–areuntouchedandundamaged.DoesSLThurt?No.SLTispainless,andtherearenosideeffectstoworryabout.Whathappensduringtheprocedure?Priortotreatment,eyedropsareadministeredtopreparetheeyeandprovidemildanesthesia.Then,gentlepulsesoflightaredeliveredthroughaspeciallydesignedmicroscope.Theentireprocesstakesjustafewminutes.Whenit’scomplete,yourphysicianmaytreatyoureyewithanti-inflammatoryeyedrops.Onetothreedaysaftertheprocedure,yourintraocularpressureshoulddropsignificantly.Andofcourse,yourphysicianwillwanttore-checkthetreatedeyeduringperiodicfollow-upvisits.HowoftencanIhaveSLTdone?SLTisgentle,non-thermal,andnon-invasive–whichallowstheproceduretoberepeated,ifnecessary.Incomparison,repeattreatmentsofpreviousapproachesinlasertherapywereeitherextremelylimitedornotpossible.WhowillbenefitfromSLT?Ifyoufitintoanyofthefollowingcategories,you’reagoodcandidateforSLT:Ifyouhaveprimaryopen-angle,pseudoexfoliation,pigmentaryorjuvenileglaucoma.(Ifyou’renotsure,askyourophthalmologist.)Ifyouareintolerantofglaucomamedicationsorhavedifficultytakingthemasprescribed.IfyouarecurrentlyundergoingglaucomadrugtherapyandwishtocombineitwithSLT.Ifitisdifficultforyoutocommittoregularfollow-uptreatments,duetofinances,lackoftransportation,orotherlimitations.IfyouhaveahistoryoffailedALT(argonlasertrabeculoplasty)treatments.WhatifSLTdoesn’tworkforme?SLTlowersintraocularpressurebyanaverageof25percentin75to85percentofpatientstreated.Forthosethatdonotrespond,otherformsoftreatment,includingtraditionaldrugtherapy,canstillbehighlyeffective. RequestanAppointmentPatientPortalMeetOurDoctors©HarvardEyeAssociatesPrivacyPolicy | AccessibilityDisclaimer©2022AllRightsReserved.DesignedbyGlacialMultimedia©Ifyouareusingascreenreaderandarehavingproblemsusingthiswebsite,pleasecall949-951-2020.