Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) uses light energy to reduce high eye pressure and prevent glaucoma from damaging your sight. Arun Joseph, MD, and the highly skilled ophthalmology team at Dallas Glaucoma Specialists in Allen, Texas, are experts in this procedure. Dr. Joseph trained with Mark Latina, MD, the inventor and developer of the SLT laser. With a 10-minute outpatient visit, you could have long-term protection from glaucoma’s effects. Call Dallas Glaucoma Specialists or request a consultation online today to see if selective laser trabeculoplasty is the right choice for you.

What is selective laser trabeculoplasty?

Selective laser trabeculoplasty is a laser procedure that reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) in your eye. Your Dallas Glaucoma Specialists ophthalmologist performs SLT as an outpatient procedure that generally takes 10 minutes or less to complete.

SLT uses laser (light) energy to alter the drainage tissue (trabecular meshwork) in the front of your eye. This meshwork is part of the eye’s natural drainage angle, which allows fluid to flow out of the eye.

After SLT, excess fluid from your eye should drain away more easily. This prevents narrow angles and other causes of glaucoma from causing any more damage to your optic nerve.

Why would I need selective laser trabeculoplasty?

Your ophthalmologist might suggest selective laser trabeculoplasty if you have specific forms of glaucoma, namely:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma
• Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma
• Pigmentary glaucoma
• Juvenile glaucoma

You’re also a good candidate for SLT if you can’t tolerate glaucoma medications or struggle to use them as prescribed.

What does selective laser trabeculoplasty involve?

SLT occurs in the Dallas Glaucoma Specialists’ state-of-the-art laser room. You don’t need an anesthetic injection — your provider puts medicated drops in your eye beforehand to numb it.

Your provider places a special lens on your eye that focuses laser energy onto the trabecular meshwork. The lens stops you from blinking and keeps your eye still. There’s a clear gel between the lens and your eye for protection.

Your provider delivers gentle light pulses to the trabecular meshwork using a specially designed microscope to magnify the eye. You hear some clicks and may see light flashes for a few minutes. Afterward, your provider removes the special lens and may place anti-inflammatory drops in your eye.

How long does recovery take after selective laser trabeculoplasty?

SLT isn’t painful, but you might experience slight discomfort, redness, irritation, and light sensitivity afterward. These symptoms are mild and pass in a few days. You should be fine to return to work and other everyday activities the day after your laser surgery.

Between one and three days after SLT, the intraocular pressure in the treated eye should reduce significantly and stabilize, limiting your risk of glaucoma progression. You return to Dallas Glaucoma Specialists for follow-up visits to monitor the treatment’s progress. Your provider will tell you if you need to use any glaucoma eye drops afterward.

Call Dallas Glaucoma Specialists or book an appointment online today to find out if you’re a good candidate for selective laser trabeculoplasty.