Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a gentle laser treatment for glaucoma that helps lower eye pressure by improving fluid drainage from the eye. It is performed in the office, uses very low-energy laser light, and is often used as a first-line treatment for open-angle glaucoma or as an option when eye drops are no longer enough. SLT can help many people with glaucoma reduce or even eliminate their need for daily eye drops while still protecting their vision.
Glaucoma care at Wellish Abrams Vision Institute is designed to preserve your sight with minimal disruption to your daily life. For many patients in Las Vegas and the surrounding communities, SLT can be a crucial step in their treatment plan.
Have primary open-angle glaucoma or certain types of secondary open-angle glaucoma
Need lower eye pressure to protect their optic nerve
Have trouble using glaucoma eye drops consistently because of side effects, cost, or difficulty remembering them
Would like to reduce the number of medications they use each day.
Studies show that, for many patients, selective laser trabeculoplasty can be used as the preferred initial treatment for high eye pressure or primary open-angle glaucoma.
However, SLT is not right for every type of glaucoma. It is generally not used for angle closure glaucoma, and some complex or advanced cases may still be better served with minimally invasive glaucoma surgery or more traditional glaucoma surgeries. Your glaucoma specialist in Las Vegas will create a personalized treatment plan that may include SLT, medications, implants, or surgery, tailored to your specific needs.
How Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Works
During SLT, your doctor uses a special contact lens and a low-energy laser to treat the trabecular meshwork, the primary drainage channel located at the front of the eye. The laser does not create a new hole or remove tissue. Instead, it helps the existing drainage system function more effectively. Here is what most patients can expect.
1
Before the procedure
SLT is usually done in an outpatient setting, often right in the doctor’s office
You may receive eye drops to lower your eye pressure and numb the surface of the eye.
Your doctor will place a small contact lens on your eye, covered with a clear gel, to help guide the laser.
2
During the procedure
You will sit at a laser machine similar to the microscope used during regular eye exams.
The doctor will apply a series of laser pulses to the trabecular meshwork
You may see bright flashes of light and hear clicking sounds
Most patients feel little to no pain, sometimes only mild pressure or a brief tingling sensation.
The treatment typically lasts about five to ten minutes per eye.
3
After the procedure
The contact lens is removed, and your eye is rinsed
Your vision may be blurry for a short time as the gel clears
You may receive anti-inflammatory drops to use for a few days
You will have follow-up visits so your doctor can check your eye pressure and healing
Most patients return to their normal daily activities within one to two days. However, you should plan to take it easy the day of the procedure and follow your doctor’s instructions closely.
Risks and Side Effects of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
Possible short-term effects include:
Mild eye irritation or redness
Light sensitivity or blurred vision for a short period after the procedure
A temporary rise in eye pressure occurs in a small percentage of patients, typically around five percent, which is usually managed with glaucoma medications and resolves within approximately twenty-four hours.
Less common risks include:
Inflammation inside the eye that requires a short course of anti-inflammatory drops
Failure to lower eye pressure enough, which means additional treatment is needed
Reduced effect with repeated treatments over time
Glaucoma Treatment Options Offered at Wellish Abrams
Treatment typically starts with eye drops. The following options are our surgical and laser options.
iDose® TR
Glaucoma implant and other sustained-release medication options.
A: Many patients experience eye pressure lowering that lasts between one and five years, and sometimes longer. If the effect wears off, SLT can often be repeated; however, the second treatment may not be as effective or last as long as the first.
A: Some patients achieve good pressure control with SLT alone. Others still need one or more glaucoma medications, but often at a lower dose or with fewer total drops. Your doctor will monitor your pressure after the procedure and adjust your medicines as needed.
A: Most patients describe SLT as mildly uncomfortable at most. Numbing drops are used, and you may only feel slight pressure or a brief tingling sensation. Any irritation usually improves quickly after the procedure.
A: It can take several weeks, and sometimes up to three months, to see the full effect of SLT on eye pressure. Your doctor will schedule follow-up visits during this period to monitor your response and determine if additional treatment is necessary.
A: SLT is an established, FDA-approved glaucoma treatment. It is generally covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans when medically appropriate. Our team at Wellish Abrams Vision Institute can help youreview your benefits before scheduling.
A: Yes. SLT can be used before or after other glaucoma procedures, such as minimally invasive glaucoma surgery or glaucoma implants. Your doctor will recommend the right sequence based on your specific condition.
Take the Next Step in Managing Your Glaucoma
To learn more or to schedule a glaucoma evaluation, contact Wellish Abrams Vision Institute in Las Vegas today or request an appointment online.
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