Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) Instead of Glaucoma Drops For the Treatment of Glaucoma

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a painless laser procedure that is performed in the office for the treatment of glaucoma. The procedure is performed with topical anesthetic drops and takes about five minutes to perform. During the laser surgery, the eye is numbed so that there is little or no pain. The eye doctor then holds a special lens to the eye. The laser beam is aimed into the eye, and there is a bright light, like a camera flash. SLT uses a laser that works at very low levels. It treats specific cells “selectively” leaving untreated portions of the trabecular meshwork intact. For this reason, SLT may be safely repeated.

SLT has been around for over 15 years and has been shown to be equally effective as drops as a first line therapy for glaucoma.

The doctors at Capital Eye Consultants have extensive experience with SLT and have found it to be a useful modality to help control intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. More information about SLT can be found on the Capital Eye Consultants webpage.