Abstract
Purpose: :
To assess the efficacy of repeated selective laser trabeculoplasty in POAG patients in an urban community hospital setting.
Methods: :
Retrospective analysis of 19 eyes (from 17 patients) at Metropolitan Hospital Center (New York, NY, USA). All eyes underwent one selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) performed by residents. This was followed by an interval during which intraocular pressure (IOP) rose to undesirable levels or documented progression of glaucoma occurred, requiring a second SLT treatment by residents. Main outcome measures included IOP, and change in IOP.
Results: :
Demographics include 6 females and 11 males, with an average age of 69.7 +/- 12.2 years. Many of the patients included in this study underwent prior glaucoma procedures, including trabeculectomy and argon laser trabeculoplasty. All patients were on maximal tolerated medical therapy. IOP was significantly reduced from 17.89 +/- 4.74 mmHg to 15.63 +/- 4.49mmHg at six weeks post first SLT treatment (p = 0.03, paired t-test). IOP was then significantly reduced from 18.16 +/- 4.41mmHg to 16.47 +/- 4.97mmHg six weeks post second SLT treatment (p = 0.042, paired t-test). Average amount of time to repeat procedure was 1.44 +/- 0.56 years. The change in IOP from the first SLT was not statistically different from the change in IOP from the second SLT, with an average change in IOP of -2.26 +/- 4.19mmHg vs -1.68 +/- 3.35mmHg (p = 0.35, paired t-test).
Conclusions: :
Repeat selective laser trabeculoplasty is an effective procedure for lowering IOP in POAG patients who have already undergone SLT.
Keywords: intraocular pressure • laser • outflow: trabecular meshwork