Glaucoma Laser
(SLT)
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
What exactly is glaucoma laser treatment, and when is it applied?
The loss of vision due to glaucoma, if not diagnosed early through preventive ophthalmic check – up examinations, cannot be restored and is considered an irreversible condition. However, if glaucoma is detected at an early stage, intraocular pressure is usually controlled with the administration of anti – glaucoma coils (eye drops). In cases where medication proves ineffective for the patient, modern therapeutic laser techniques for glaucoma are chosen. The most popular glaucoma laser methods are the following:
ALT | Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (trabeculoplasty using thermal argon laser)
SLT | Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (selective trabeculoplasty using non – thermal laser)
Both methods are selected for open – angle glaucoma.
What exactly is SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty), and how does it work?
SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) is a non – invasive laser treatment, applied to the trabecular meshwork, at the angle of the anterior chamber, resulting in the regeneration – opening of the meshwork, aiming to reduce intraocular pressure in open – angle glaucoma. The treatment duration is about 5 minutes and can be repeated if the patient’s ocular condition requires it.
An SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) uses small pulses of low – intensity light. It targets melanin or pigment in specific ocular cells. This triggers the regeneration and reconstruction of cells, leading to an improved drainage mechanism in the eye (thus reducing intraocular pressure)
How is SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) treatment performed?
The treatment is simple, very quick, and can be performed in a regular clinic – practice. Before starting the procedure, anesthetic drops are applied to the patient’s eye. The patient sits in front of a slit lamp (microscope) connected to the SLT laser targeting system. The ophthalmologist then delivers targeted laser shots with gentle light pulses. In the next days intraocular pressure levels will significantly decrease. The patient should schedule a series of follow – up examinations to ensure close monitoring after the laser treatment.
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