SLT as a first line treatment: Which patients are likely to benefit the most
Dr Paul Singh explains what type of patients can benefit from SLT to treat glaucoma.
Dr Paul Singh explains what type of patients can benefit from SLT to treat glaucoma.
SLT should be offered to all patients newly diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and to those who are not happy on drops. In my practice, I use laser technologies from Lumibird Medical. The Ellex Tango and Quantel Fusion platforms both provide outstanding results for my SLT patient cohorts.
Dr Franck Howes, Eye & Laser Centre Gold Coast (Australia) made a presentation on SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) and detailed the process of applying laser energy for the control of glaucoma.
Glaucoma is the most common optic neuropathy. The only clinically proven treatment is to reduce IOP by using medical, laser, and surgical therapies. Treatment is typically selected depending on the level of IOP, stage of the disease, pace of progression, and current and past treatment history. Glaucoma management with drops can be problematic, mainly because they can be difficult for patients to instill properly and because of the related side effects.
As a glaucoma specialist, having the Quantel Medical SLT Fusion gives me the confidence to offer my patients the best option as a first line of treatment.
In 2021, SLT laser therapy should be considered as a preferred first line treatment for glaucoma treatment and SubCyclo favored as an alternative treatment option to surgery
It is becoming increasingly clear that we should change the paradigm to use SLT as primary therapy.
The earlier we can successfully address glaucoma, the better we can reduce the morbidity of progression, reduce the need for more aggressive surgical options and reduce the burden of medication and patient-compliance issues.