Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine the safety and efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in lowering the intraocular pressure in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients receiving SLT in a primarily urban population at University of Maryland from 1/2002 12/2003. We documented sex, age, severity of POAG, co–morbidities (diabetes and hypertension), glaucoma medication use, and surgical history. We also noted the IOP after the procedure at 3 months, 6 months, and 9–12 months. Results: 57 eyes of 57 patients were reviewed. 54 of the patients had documented three month follow up, 42 had documented 6 month follow up, and 28 had documented follow up between 9 to 12 months after the procedure. The mean IOP decrease was 2.3 mmHg at 3 months, 2.2 mmHg at 6 months, and 3.6 mmHg between 9 and 12 months. Upon review sex, age, severity of disease, co–morbidities, and medications did not affect the efficacy of the procedure. No significant difference in IOP reduction was found between the 35 patients on Xalatan and the 22 patients not on Xalatan. However, at the 6 and 9–12 month follow ups, SLT demonstrated a greater reduction in IOP in patients who had previous ALT. Of the eyes that had previously received ALT, the mean IOP decrease was 2.3 mmHg at three months (n=28), 2.6 mmHg at 6 months (n=26), and 4.2 mmHg at 9–12 months (n=16). In eyes without history of ALT, the mean IOP decrease was 2.3 mmHg at 3 months (n=26), 1.5 mmHg at 6 months (n=16), and 2.8 mmHg 9–12 months (n=12). Conclusions: SLT was found to be a safe, effective method of reducing IOP in POAG patients. Our review shows that it may be more effective in patients with a prior history of ALT. Our data suggests there is no effect on the efficacy of SLT due to age, sex, severity of disease, co–morbidities, or prior medication use. Supported by an unrestricted grant from Research for Prevention of Blindness.
Keywords: trabecular meshwork • laser • visual fields