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Surgeon: SLT as effective as medications in POAG, ocular hypertension

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FLORENCE, Italy — Selective laser trabeculoplasty was as effective as topical medication in controlling primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in a study presented here at the European Glaucoma Society meeting.

H. Ferdinand A. Dujim, MD, described a study that compared the laser technique to medical therapy in 19 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and seven with ocular hypertension (OH). Patients were at first treated with topical antiglaucoma medications. After 3 months, patients who achieved the target pressure — a 25% reduction from baseline — had their medications discontinued. After ceasing medication, the patients were bilaterally treated with selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT).

According to the study, mean IOP for the 47 eyes included in the data analysis declined from 27 mm Hg at baseline to 11.5 mm Hg at 3 months follow-up.

Dr. Dujim said the results suggest SLT could be used as a first-line treatment. He warned surgeons that patients with lightly pigmented angles may have a higher likelihood of SLT failure.