SLT Laser for glaucoma now available at Edgbaston Eye Clinic, Birmingham
Use of SLT
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a procedure that’s done in the office and its main use is to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. The laser is applied through a special contact lens to the drainage system of the eye where it stimulates a biochemical change that improves the outflow of fluid from the eye
The most common way to treat glaucoma is with eye drops to lower the pressure in the eye. If the drops are not effective, laser and other surgical procedures could be of value in controlling the pressure and preventing further vision loss. Drops and surgical procedures are designed to do one of two things:
1) Decrease the amount of fluid production in the eye from the cells that make the fluid.
2) Help to increase the flow of fluid out of the eye.
SLT is one option for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) for patients who have open-angle glaucoma in the early stages. It can also be used in combination with drops or as an alternative therapy when drugs fail. It is a flexible treatment option and can be repeated if necessary, depending on the individual patient’s response.
How does SLT work
The trabecular meshwork is around the periphery of the coloured part of the eye, the iris. This is where fluid formed in the eye drains out of the eye. This meshwork is treated directly with the laser to improve drainage through it.
SLT uses short pulses of relatively low energy light to target only the melanin rich cells in the drainage channel of the eye. The laser pulses affect only these melanin containing cells, with the surrounding structure remaining unaffected. This gentle laser treatment induces a response from the body in which white cells are released to clear the affected cells and rebuild the meshwork so that it functions effectively again, reducing the eye pressure.
Benefits
SLT effectively lowers raised IOP without the side effects or difficulty of taking eye drops. The treatment is particularly suitable for patients who cannot correctly use or are intolerant to glaucoma medications, and can also be used alongside medication to enhance the overall eye pressure-lowering effect. On average, SLT can lower eye pressure by 20 to 30%. The laser is successful in about 80% of patients. In addition, studies have shown that SLT has a similar outcome compared to the most effective glaucoma eye drops. The treatment effect may last 3 to 5 years and SLT can be repeated when the original treatment effect diminishes.
The Procedure
Once seated in front of the laser machine, which looks similar to the microscope you will have been examined with in clinic, you will have anaesthetic drops put in to numb the front of your eye. A special lens will then be placed against the front surface of your eye. This is not painful, but it might feel a little strange. During the laser treatment, you might see some flashes of light and hear clicking noises. Most patients tolerate the laser treatment well, but some might feel slight discomfort. The procedure takes between 10 to 15 minutes.
About an hour after your treatment, the pressure in your eye will be checked. You will then be given a prescription for drops to take at home for five days. We will make an appointment for you to come back to the clinic, usually one to two weeks later. This follow-up appointment is to check that your eye is settling, although the treatment might take up to eight weeks to work.
Potential side effects
Your vision will be blurred for a few hours following your laser treatment, but this will settle. The chance of your vision being permanently affected from SLT is extremely small. If you are concerned that your vision is not returning to normal, please contact us on 01217263199.. You are also advised not to drive yourself to the hospital, as you will be unable to drive home.
It is possible for the pressure in your eye to increase immediately after the treatment and you might get a slight inflammation as well.. In order to prevent this, we put in special drops when we treat you.
We also provide steroid drops, and occasionally extra glaucoma drops following your treatment.
Rarely, the pressure in the eye rises to a very high pressure and does not come down. If this happens, you might require surgery to lower the pressure. However, please be assured that this is a very unusual occurrence.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) now available at Edgbaston Eye Clinic in Birmingham
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty SLT specialist in Birmingham
