Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is performed in office as an outpatient laser procedure. Since there are several pre and postoperative steps involved, you should plan to be available for several hours on the day of the treatment. These steps, although time consuming, help make the procedure safe and comfortable.

Upon arrival, you will review and sign the consent form for the procedure. The technician will check your vision and your eye pressure and answer any questions you have. The technician will place a preoperative eye drop in your eye and you will be instructed where to sit while the medicine takes effect. After the appropriate time interval, you will be escorted to the treatment room.

The procedure itself takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Prior to the procedure, a topical anesthetic drop is placed in the operative eye. The doctor will place a lens on the eye to focus the laser. The lens helps your doctor have a magnified and clearer view into the drainage angle. It also helps you to refrain from blinking or moving your eye during the procedure. As the laser treatment is applied there may be a mild prickling or tingling sensation. The doctor may adjust the power as needed for a good tissue response and can reduce it if needed for your comfort.

Once the treatment is completed the lens is removed and the eye is rinsed, post operative drops are instilled, and you will be directed to a waiting room while waiting for other post operative drops. Initially after the treatment your eye may feel swollen and/or sore and your vision may be blurry and/or light sensitive. These conditions usually clear substantially during the recovery period. The technician will recheck your eye pressure approximately 30 minutes – 1 hour after treatment. If there is any concern with significant increased eye pressure after treatment (as there can be an IOP spike related to the energy of the laser), this will be treated in office. Once the eye pressure is overall stable (either due to no IOP spike or appropriate lowering with in-office treatment), you will be released. You will be prescribed anti-inflammatory drops for 1 week after treatment. The technician will review post operative instructions and answer any additional questions you have. Unless otherwise specified, you will continue your regular glaucoma drops.

Most patients can drive themselves home after they have been cleared postoperatively. The eye may remain scratchy and a little light sensitive throughout the day and vision may be slightly blurred. During this time, it is helpful to avoid bright light by staying inside or wearing dark glasses. There are otherwise no restrictions. You may use artificial tears if your symptoms continue throughout the day.
Most patients are comfortably able to resume their regular schedule and activities the day following the procedure. There will be a follow up 6-8 weeks following the procedure.

Please discuss this procedure with your doctor to see if it may be of benefit for you.