[Long-term follow-up of selective laser trabeculoplasty in primary open-angle glaucoma].
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to investigate the outcomes of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in a prospective clinical study.


METHODS
In 90 eyes suffering from POAG, treatment was carried out with a frequency-doubled, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm). The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before the treatment and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66 and 72 months after. A failure was defined as an IOP reduction of less than 20 % of the pretreatment IOP, or a progression of visual field or optic disc damage requiring filtering surgery. The hypotensive medication during the study period remained unchanged.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up time was 41.2 months (SD 20.0). The mean pretreatment IOP was 22.4 mmHg (SD 2.3). At one month of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.0 mmHg (SD 2.3) or 22.3 % and at 6 months 5.2 mmHg (SD 2.4) or 23.2 %. At 12 months of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.4 mmHg (SD 2.4) or 24.0 % and at 24 months 5.8 mmHg (SD 2.3) or 25.5 %. At 36 months of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.7 mmHg (SD 2.1) or 25.1 % and at 48 months of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.2 mmHg (SD 1.9) or 23.1 %. At 60 months of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.2 mmHg (SD 2.0) or 22.6 % and at the end of 72 months of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.4 mmHg (SD 2.3) or 22.8 %. The success rate after 12 months determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was 94 %, after 24 months 85 %, after 36 months 74 %, after 48 months 68 % and after 72 months 59 %.


CONCLUSIONS
SLT is an effective procedure offering an additional therapy option for the treatment of POAG, but the effect diminishes over time.
Gracner
T
T
Lehrkrankenhaus Maribor, Augenabteilung, 2000 Maribor, Slowenien. tomaz.gracner@sb-mb.si
Falez
M
M
Gracner
B
B
Pahor
D
D
D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome