Procedures: Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Our office is pleased to offer treatment Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT). The SLT is a cool, “smart” laser that targets the specific, pigmented cells that help control eye pressure. The laser does not damage surrounding tissue and has proven effective at lowering IOP. Treatment with the SLT is done in a few minutes in our office, and the procedure can be repeated if necessary. Pittsburgh Eye Institute is one of very few practices in our area to offer glaucoma treatment with SLT.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is an advanced type of laser treatment to manage patients with open-angle glaucoma. Instead of generally burning tissue as in ALT, SLT selectively stimulates or changes only specific pigmented cells to activate increased fluid drainage. Both SLT and ALT produce equivalent drops in IOP, however the more gentler SLT procedure does not have the associated damage to other tissues and adverse scarring effects. For this reason, where ALT is limited, SLT may potentially be repeated. SLT also has been found to be effective when ALT and other forms of medical treatment have failed.
Benefits of SLT
- SLT results in a biological response that increases aqueous drainage and reduces intraocular pressure without burning tissue.
- No adverse scarring or trabecular meshwork.
- May reduce the need for lifelong use of expensive eye drops and other medications.
- May reduce or eliminate the trouble of always having to take glaucoma medications.