SLT Laser

Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. With open angle glaucoma, the drainage system of the eye becomes clogged, which leads to less drainage of fluid, causing eye pressure to increase. If the eye pressure becomes too high for your eye, it damages your optic nerve causing defects in your visual field.

 

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, or SLT, uses light energy to clean out the drainage system in your eye to allow the trabecular meshwork to work more effectively allowing fluid to drain easier and lower your eye pressure. The SLT does not make holes in your eye, but instead stimulates cells in your eye to allow fluid to drain more efficiently.

The procedure is done in our office and only takes a few minutes to actually complete. We ask that you plan on being in the office for 1-2 hours the day of your laser treatment.

 

First, anesthetic drops are used to numb your eye. Then, the doctor will place a lens on your eye with a Vaseline like substance, which will blur your vision for the rest of the day. The lens will help focus the laser. In general, there is no discomfort associated with the laser treatment, and you are free to resume all normal activity when you leave the office.

You will have a steroid eye drop to use three times a day for a few days after the treatment. We will schedule you an appointment to check your eye pressure about six weeks after the laser to see how your eye responded to the treatment. Your vision will be blurry for the day of the laser treatment.

 

Please discuss any questions or concerns you have about SLTs with your ophthalmologist before your procedure.