A review on selective laser trabeculoplasty

Glaucoma is an irreversible blinding disease.The aim of glaucoma therapy is to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP), and then slow down glaucoma progression.Currently, this goal can be achieved by medication, laser treatment and surgery.Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) involves using a 532 nm wave length Nd: YAG laser selectively target cells of the trabecular meshwork without causing thermal or collateral damage to the surroundings structures.The exact mechanism by which SLT lowers IOP remains unknown.It has become gradually one of the most preferred methods for the treatment of open angle glaucoma.SLT seems to have a similar IOP lowering effect with argon trabeculoplasty or monotherapy of topical prostaglandin medication.Mean IOP reduction after SLT was 3.8-8.0 mmHg in 6 months to 1 year.The long-term effect of SLT in the treatment of open angle glaucoma remains to be further studied.The relationship between the range of SLT treatment and its therapeutic effect has not been recognized.SLT is efficacious and safe, also has repeatable and less adverse effects.It can be used as an efficacious primary, adjunctive and replacement therapy for treating open angle glaucoma.In this paper, we reviewed the effects of SLT as an initial and repeat treatment, also the factors that could affect therapeutic effects.