1. < Eye Conditions

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) procedure

Posted by evw100 @ew100, Jul 11, 2019

Saw my ophthalmologist this morning, Latanoprost eye drops only help reducing my eye pressure from 23 to 20. He would like my eye pressure to go down to 14. He can add another eye drop Timolol, which is a beta blocker or I can have SLT procedure.
If you had SLT done, would you please share your experiences and results? Thanks so much for helping!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.

lindens | @lindens | Oct 19, 2024
In reply to @dsh33782 "Hi Lizziemnz I've been fighting glaucoma for 30 years now. I just had SLT treatment within..." + (show)
@dsh33782

Hi Lizziemnz
I've been fighting glaucoma for 30 years now. I just had SLT treatment within the last month for the second time. My pressures going in were 13 and after were 9 so I can recommend it. It did not hurt, but my eyes were a little blurry for a while.
Don

Jump to this post

Good to hear you had a positive outcome. My main concern is whethet the 180° Trabeculoplasty will be as effective as 360°.

REPLY
lindens | @lindens | Oct 19, 2024
In reply to @dsh33782 "Hi Lizziemnz I've been fighting glaucoma for 30 years now. I just had SLT treatment within..." + (show)
@dsh33782

Hi Lizziemnz
I've been fighting glaucoma for 30 years now. I just had SLT treatment within the last month for the second time. My pressures going in were 13 and after were 9 so I can recommend it. It did not hurt, but my eyes were a little blurry for a while.
Don

Jump to this post

Glad to hear that you have had success with SLT. My concern was whether or not the 180° trabeculoplasty will be as effective as the 360°. Wasn’t sure if anyone else experienced that

REPLY
topsz | @topsz | Oct 29, 2024

I have had laser three times. Last pressure reading 19. On three drops.

REPLY
mable25 | @mable25 | Feb 17 1:50pm

I have developed ocular surface disease as a reaction to my glaucoma meds (Latanoprost, Brimonidine, Timolol) which I've been on for about 4 years.
My symptoms are dry eye, inflamed conjunctiva, blurry vision and, as a result my cornea are pretty irritated. It is not sustainable!
My doc is suggesting SLT to "get me off my drops", however, I am learning that many patients still require their drops after the SLT. I have to wonder what is the point of SLT if I"ll still my irritating drops?!
Anyone have OSD (ocular surface disease) which led them to SLT?
Anyone with OSD that can offer any insights. My doc does not want to put me on Restasis as it will be "one more drug" and he'd like to get me off all drugs. I've also read that the side effects of Restasis are similar to the side effects I have on my glaucoma drops. Ugh!

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | Feb 17 3:15pm
In reply to @mable25 "I have developed ocular surface disease as a reaction to my glaucoma meds (Latanoprost, Brimonidine, Timolol)..." + (show)
@mable25

I have developed ocular surface disease as a reaction to my glaucoma meds (Latanoprost, Brimonidine, Timolol) which I've been on for about 4 years.
My symptoms are dry eye, inflamed conjunctiva, blurry vision and, as a result my cornea are pretty irritated. It is not sustainable!
My doc is suggesting SLT to "get me off my drops", however, I am learning that many patients still require their drops after the SLT. I have to wonder what is the point of SLT if I"ll still my irritating drops?!
Anyone have OSD (ocular surface disease) which led them to SLT?
Anyone with OSD that can offer any insights. My doc does not want to put me on Restasis as it will be "one more drug" and he'd like to get me off all drugs. I've also read that the side effects of Restasis are similar to the side effects I have on my glaucoma drops. Ugh!

Jump to this post

Mable
I've been fighting glaucoma for over 30 years now. Currently I am on Pilocarpine, Dorsalamide, and Rocklatan eye drops. I also use refresh eye drops frequently to try and keep eyes from drying out and developing rough corneas which reduces my already poor eye sight. My optamologist did try SLT again this past year but it did not seem to make any difference. However, SLT might help you so I would not reject it out of hand when recommended by optamologist. There are other eye surgeries that can help reduce pressure such as GATT which inserts drain tube, but the nice thing about SLT is it is just a laser treatment. Another option is to visit a major eye research clinic such as Bascom Palmer or Wills. They will do a very through examination of your eye condition and make recommendations. Let me know how you get on?

REPLY
1 reply
mable25 | @mable25 | Feb 19 10:26am
In reply to @dsh33782 "Mable I've been fighting glaucoma for over 30 years now. Currently I am on Pilocarpine, Dorsalamide,..." + (show)
@dsh33782

Mable
I've been fighting glaucoma for over 30 years now. Currently I am on Pilocarpine, Dorsalamide, and Rocklatan eye drops. I also use refresh eye drops frequently to try and keep eyes from drying out and developing rough corneas which reduces my already poor eye sight. My optamologist did try SLT again this past year but it did not seem to make any difference. However, SLT might help you so I would not reject it out of hand when recommended by optamologist. There are other eye surgeries that can help reduce pressure such as GATT which inserts drain tube, but the nice thing about SLT is it is just a laser treatment. Another option is to visit a major eye research clinic such as Bascom Palmer or Wills. They will do a very through examination of your eye condition and make recommendations. Let me know how you get on?

Jump to this post

Hi Don,
Thanks for your reply.
My concern is not for my IOP because my current drops are managing my pressure. The SLT is being recommended because I am having reactions from the preservative in my (3) drops. But if most patients report having to be on some amount of drops even after the SLT, why should I consider the surgery?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | Feb 19 11:46am
In reply to @mable25 "Hi Don, Thanks for your reply. My concern is not for my IOP because my current..." + (show)
@mable25

Hi Don,
Thanks for your reply.
My concern is not for my IOP because my current drops are managing my pressure. The SLT is being recommended because I am having reactions from the preservative in my (3) drops. But if most patients report having to be on some amount of drops even after the SLT, why should I consider the surgery?

Jump to this post

Mable
Perhaps you can talk to doc about getting preservative free eye drop medications which might help?
Don

REPLY
1 reply
mable25 | @mable25 | Feb 19 2:32pm
In reply to @dsh33782 "Mable Perhaps you can talk to doc about getting preservative free eye drop medications which might..." + (show)
@dsh33782

Mable
Perhaps you can talk to doc about getting preservative free eye drop medications which might help?
Don

Jump to this post

Hi Don,
Thank you for that.
I started preservative free Timolol last week.
Will let you know how it goes.
m.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.