Abstract
Purpose: :
SLT is known to reduce intraocular pressure effectively. Aim of the present study, however, was to evaluate the effect of SLT on ocular hemodynamics.
Methods: :
75 patients with mostly advanced glaucoma underwent SLT (SoloTM SLT, ellex Inc.) for further IOP-reduction. 37 patients had SLT on both eyes, 16 just on their right eyes and 22 on their left eyes ( 53 right eyes, 59 left eyes). Ocular blood flow was assessed with the Blood Flow Analyzer (Paradigm Medical industries, Inc.) prior and 3 month after SLT. For statistical analysis a multi regression analysis was applied.
Results: :
: Approximately 63% ( 29 right eyes, 42 left eyes) showed an IOP-reduction after SLT. Intraocular pressure was significantly reduced in right eyes from 17,15 +/- 4,39 mmHg to 12,17 +/- 3,03 mmHg (p=0,0001) and from 15,97 +/- 5,05 mmHg to 12,36 +/- 4,44 mmHg (p=0,0001) in left eyes. Ocular pulse amplitude increased from 3,0 to 3,33 (p=0,224) in right eyes and from 3,09 to 3,15 (p=0,7) in left eyes. Ocular blood flow (microliters/sec) increased statistically significantly from 15,04 to 21,4 (p=0,001) in right eyes and from 16,0 to 19,6 (p=0,0001) in left eyes. Ocular blood flow changes were statistically significantly correlated with a reduction of IOP (Pearson correlation coefficient r= - 0.49 ; p= 0.005)
Conclusions: :
SLT does probably not change the biomechanical properties of the eye like surgery, i.e.trabeculectomy. Nor does SLT produce any pharmacological effects. Therefore an increase in ocular blood flow after SLT seems only be due to the reduction of intraocular pressure.
Keywords: intraocular pressure • laser • blood supply