Pros and cons of SLT | Advantages of SLT | /

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SLT laser

SLT laser is a form of "cold laser" that does not burn the trabecular meshwork - rather it stimulates it to enhance drainage of fluid out of the eye. The results are modestly impressive - 5 year results indicate a 20-30% drop in eye pressure. It is a treatment that can be repeated, and surgery to control pressure can be delayed or postponed indefinitely as a result.

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Memantine is a new drug for glaucoma, that has undergone extensive trials to establish its effectiveness. Disappointingly, it has not demonstrated the benefits expected, and plans to release this medication in the UK are therefore on hold.

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Pros and cons of SLT

Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
SLT does not rely on medicines, instead, uses an advanced laser system to target only specific cells of the eye—those containing melanin, a natural pigment. This allows for only these cells to be affected, leaving surrounding tissue in tact. As a result, your body's own healing response helps lower the pressure in your eye. There is not really a disadvantage of SLT compared to other available treatments. Mostly drop use and preservative toxicity is minimised as fewer drops are usually required after surgery, and the procedure is free of systemic side effects. Advantages of the SLT procedure: SLT is proven to reduce IOP SLT has no general side effects SLT is effective as primary, adjunctive or repeat therapy SLT is a safe, office-based procedure SLT protects the trabecular meshwork SLT improves patient compliance SLT is reimbursed by most insurance policies Click here for contact information for Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty References Lanzetta, U Menchini, G Virgili. Immediate intraocular pressure response to selective laser trabeculoplasty. Fr. J. Ophthalmol., Jan 1999; 83:29-32. Latina MA, Sibayan SA, Shin DH, Noecker RJ, Marcellino G. Q-switched 532-nm Nd:YAG laser trabeculoplasty (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty). Ophthalmology 1998;105:2082-2090. S. Melamed MD, Ben Simon MD, H. Levkovitch-Verbin MD. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty as Primary Treatment for Openangle Glaucoma. Arch Ophthalmol. 2003; 121:957-960. Noecker RJ, Kramer TR. Comparison of the acute morphologic changes after selective laser trabeculoplasty and argon laser trabeculoplasty in human eye bank eyes. Ophthalmology, Apr 2001; 108(4):773-9. Alvarado JA, Latina MA, Damji KF, Katz LJ. The Science Underlying Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty. Ophthalmology Management, June 2002.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 November 2007 )

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Medication

Medications for glaucoma

Glaucoma medications are constantly improving and new agents combine prosta drugs and beta blockers. This improves 'compliance' ie how well the medication is taken, as many patients forget to take drops.

Iridotomy

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Laser iridotomy is performed to reduce the risk of or to treat primary angle closure ("narrow angle glaucoma"). This type of glaucoma can be associated with longsightedness, and may run in the family, as with other types of glaucoma. Iridotomy is a safe procedure, and prevent angle closure in most cases, but does not eliminate the risk. Sometimes cataract surgery is preferred as a primary option.

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There are over a hundred types of glaucoma. Most commonly, in the UK, patients have Primary Open Angle Glaucoma ("POAG"). Most types of glaucoma are treated the same. Some variants progress at different rates, but most types progress slowly but surely (ie lead to visual field loss) without treatment. Another common type is Normal Pressure Glaucoma. This tends to be more slowly progressive. Secondary glaucomas are rare (less than 5%), as is congenital glaucoma.

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