Selective laser trabeculoplasty as adjunctive treatment for open-angle glaucoma vs following incisional glaucoma surgery in Chinese eyes

BACKGROUND Selective laser trabeculoplasty(SLT)is a relatively safe and effective therapy in lowering intraocular pressures(IOP)for glaucoma.AIM To study the long-term effects of SLT on IOP and number of glaucoma medications used in Chinese eyes.METHODS This is a retrospective study in which 75 eyes of 70 patients with open-angle glaucoma(OAG,n=36)and eyes with prior glaucoma surgery(PGS,n=39)were included.Changes in mean IOP and number of glaucoma medications used evaluated at 1 d,1 wk,1 mo,3 mo,6 mo,12 mo,and 36 mo after laser treatment.RESULTS All patients(33 male,37 female)were Chinese.The mean age was 44.34±16.14years.Mean pre-SLT IOP was 22.75±2.08 mmHg in OAG and 22.52±2.62 mmHg in PGS.Mean IOP was significantly reduced 1 d,1 wk,1 mo and 3 mo after laser treatment(P<0.05,respectively).Whereas,there were no significant differences between baseline and SLT treated groups at the 6th month both in OAG(P=0.347,P>0.05)and in PGS(P=0.309,P>0.05).Six months after SLT treatment,some patients received retreatment of SLT or were given more topical IOP-lowering medication to control the IOP.By the end of our study,the average IOP decreased to 20.73±1.82 mmHg in OAG and 20.49±1.53 mmHg in PGS groups.The number of glaucoma medications used was significantly reduced until the end of 3 years compared to baseline.CONCLUSION SLT could reduce IOP as adjunctive treatment both in OAG and PGS groups.SLT significantly reduced the number of glaucoma medications used 3-years following treatment in glaucoma patients.