title: Where does selective laser trabeculoplasty stand now? A review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic treatment of glaucoma can present a challenge in patients who lack the means and/or the discipline to use daily glaucoma medication. We wondered if selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) could be a useful alternative.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  controlled trials comparing efficacy of SLT in adult patients with any form of open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and case reports on side effects of SLT. Two recent meta-analyses identified eight randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of SLT with medication (prostaglandin analogs) and with argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT). We took these eight RCTs as reference base and calculated their success rates where they were not given. Other articles were added to elaborate on technique and side effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after SLT was 3.8-8.0 mmHg after 6 months to 1 year. Mean success rate of SLT at 6 months to 1 year is 55-82 %. Higher IOP before laser predicts a higher IOP-lowering effect. In terms of mean IOP reduction, reduction in number of medications and treatment success, the effect of SLT was found to show no clinically relevant difference from that of contemporary medication (prostaglandin analogs) and from ALT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evidence indicates that SLT is an efficacious primary or adjunctive therapy for treating glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium ; Medipolis, Boomsesteenweg 223, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Myrjam
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8418-1296
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Keyser
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Belder
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Belder
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium ; Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Veva
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Groot
keywords: Glaucoma; Glaucoma treatment; Ocular hypertension; Open angle glaucoma; Review; Selective laser trabeculoplasty