Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Determine the efficacy of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) to reduce intra–ocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients. Methods: Retrospective chart review including 223 eyes, 126 received 180 degrees and 97 underwent 360 degrees in 2 staged sessions. IOP was evaluated at 2 and 6 months after the second stage treatment. Success was defined by 3 criteria: Criteria 1, IOP reduction >=20% from baseline IOP. Criteria 2, IOP reduction >=15% from baseline and Criteria 3, reduction >=3mmHg. We compared the number of glaucoma medications used before and after the treatment. Results: 151 female and 72 male patients with a mean age of 78.17 +/–10.1 years. Baseline IOP was 20.98+/–3.5. IOP at 2 months after treatment was 16.55+/–3.39 (t=19.635 p<0.05) and 16.56+/–3.37 at 6 months (t=15.474 p<0.05). Success rate by criteria 1 was 56.1% (2 mo) and 53.57% (6 mo); criteria 2, 77.58% and 74.5% respectively; criteria 3, 70.5% and 72.3% . By criteria 1 success at 6 months with 180 degrees of treatment was 51.58% and 63.9% with 360 degrees. When analyzing glaucoma medications after 6 months, 14.36% of patients required 1 less medication and 76.24% did not require further medications. Conclusions: SLT proves to be successful therapy reducing IOP with an hypotensive effect stable for the first 6 months after the treatment. At 6 months of follow–up more than 90% of patients did not require more medications. A treatment of 360 degrees in 2 staged sessions increases the success rate.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques