Abstract
Purpose::
To compare the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and decrease in medications (meds) between treatment with Argon (ALT) and Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT).
Methods::
Retrospective chart review was performed on 372 eyes which underwent secondary SLT, out of a consecutive case series of 908 eyes which were treated with SLT from December 2003 to March 2006 (LFJ) and compared with retrospective chart review performed on 22 eyes which underwent secondary ALT, from December 2003 to September 2006 (LAA). Average pre- and post-ALT/SLT IOP and meds were recorded. Paired t-test was used to assess statistical significance.
Results::
In the SLT group, mean age was 71.8±1.3 years and mean follow-up time was 226.6±18.6 days. The mean pre- and post-SLT IOP were 17.9±0.5 and 12.8±0.4; mean reduction in IOP was 5.1±0.3 mmHg (27.6%). The mean pre- and post-SLT meds were 2.2±0.1 and 0.7±0.1; mean reduction in meds was 1.5±0.1 meds (75%). In the ALT group, mean age was 75.1±4.2 years and mean follow-up time was 266.4±119.5 days. The mean pre- and post-ALT IOP were 19.2±1.8 and 17.9±2.4; mean reduction in IOP was 1.3±1.4 mmHg (6.8%). The mean pre- and post-ALT meds were 3.5±0.5 and 4.0±0.5; mean increase in meds was 0.5±0.3 meds (15.2%). All results were significant with p<0.005.Discussion: When compared with ALT, mean reduction in IOP and meds was greater in patients treated with SLT. In patients treated with ALT there was an increase in mean meds; in patients treated with SLT there was a clinically significant decrease in mean IOP. The changes in mean IOP and meds between the SLT and ALT groups were significant (p<0.0001).
Conclusions::
In this series, as compared with ALT, treatment with SLT resulted in significantly greater reduction in mean IOP and decrease in meds in patients with glaucoma.
Keywords: laser • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications