Selective laser trabeculoplasty as a replacement for medical therapy in open-angle glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as a replacement for medical therapy in controlled open-angle glaucoma.


METHODS
Prospective, non-randomized, interventional clinical trial.


METHODS
SLT was performed inferiorly in 66 eyes of 66 patients with medically controlled primary open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or exfoliation glaucoma, and no history of glaucoma surgery. The primary outcome was number of medications at 6 and 12 months while maintaining a pre-determined target intraocular pressure (IOP).


RESULTS
The mean of the differences in medications from baseline was 2.0 (95% confidence interval = 1.8-2.3) at 6 months, and 1.5 (1.27-1.73) at 12 months (P < .0001). The group mean of medications was 2.8 +/- 1.1 at baseline, 0.7 +/- 0.9 at 6 months, and 1.5 +/- 0.9 at 12 months (P < .0001). Reduction in medications was attained in 64 of 66 eyes (97%) at 6 months, and 52 of 60 (87%) at 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
SLT enabled a reduction in medicine in controlled OAG over 12 months.
Francis
Brian A
BA
Doheny Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. bfrancis@usc.edu
Ianchulev
Tsontcho
T
Schofield
John K
JK
Minckler
Donald S
DS
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000601:surgery*; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000379:methods*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents