Highly Successful SLT is Independent of Glaucoma Risk Factors

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: As part of a randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) vs. argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), we studied predictors of highly successful SLT, defined as SLT induced pressure reduction of 5 or more mmHg at 1 year after laser treatment. Methods: There were 72 patients in the SLT arm of the study, 41 of which had IOP drops of 5 or more mmHg at 1 year (the highly successful group). Potential predictors studied included age, gender, race, glaucoma type, glaucoma risk factors, trabecular meshwork pigmentation and total energy used. Results: None of the risk factors studied predicted highly successful SLT; however, in two separate simple logistic regression models, we discovered that IOP at 1–hour post–treatment strongly predicts SLT success (Odds Ratio=1.183; p=0.002) and so does baseline IOP (Odds Ratio=1.565; p=0.000). Conclusions: Highly successful SLT is independent of age, race, gender and other glaucoma risk factors, but significantly predictable by IOP at 1–hour post–treatment and baseline IOP.

Keywords: laser • intraocular pressure • trabecular meshwork