GLAUCOMA THERAPY Expanding Your Horizons.
Learn how to control glaucoma with SLT therapy.
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a degenerative disease that if left untreated can cause permanent
damage to the optic nerve resulting in gradual vision loss and eventual
blindness.
Damage to the optic nerve, due to glaucoma, is usually caused by an elevated
intraocular pressure (IOP). Clear fluid, called aqueous humor circulates
through the eye providing nourishment to the tissues pressure to help maintain
the shape of the eye.
Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG), occurs when there is an increase in fluid production
or a decrease in fluid drainage. Over time, as the optic nerve fibers are
destroyed, peripheral (side) vision is lost.
Blocked fluid flow
Aqueous humor flows out of the eye through the Trabecular Meshwork (TM), near
the edge of the iris. If the TM is blocked, restricting drainage, the pressure
inside the eye increases. This elevated pressure results in damage to the optic
nerve and vision loss occurs.
Therapies
The goal in glaucoma therapy is to improve the flow of fluid out of the eye
through the trabecular meshwork.
Treatment of Open Angle Glaucoma
OAG treatment concentrates on lowering the pressure inside the eye to prevent
damage to the optic nerve. The most common treatments for glaucoma have been
the use of medications (in the form of eye drops or pills), laser therapy or
surgery.
Medical treatments
Eye drops are commonly used to control glaucoma, however, they can be very
expensive, messy, and have unwanted side effects. Furthermore, they may need to
be taken for the rest of your life. Some medications allow for faster drainage,
while other medications reduce the production of aqueous humor.
Surgical treatments
If non-surgical methods fail to decrease pressure, surgery may be required to
create a new drainage channel. Filtration surgeries are designed to relive eye
pressure by removing tissue, inserting implants in the eye, or a combination of
both.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
SLT does not rely on medicines, instead, uses an advanced laser system to
target only specific cells of the eye - those containing melanin, a natural
pigment. This allows for only these cells to be affected, leaving surrounding
tissue intact. As a result, your body's own healing response helps lower the
pressure in your eye.
Benefits of SLT
Safe: SLT is not associated with
systemic side effects or the compliance and cost issues of medications.
Selective: SLT utilizes selective
photothermolysis to target only specific cells, leaving the surrounding tissue
intact.
Smart: SLT stimulates the body's
natural mechanisms to enhance outflow of the fluid in your eye.
Sensible: SLT therapy is reimbursed
by Medicare and many other insurance providers, which minimizes your
out-of-pocket expenses.
Early detection
vision loss from glaucoma is permanent but can usually be prevented with early
detection and treatment. Glaucoma management is usually a lifelong process that
requires frequent monitoring and constant treatment. Since there is no way to
determine if glaucoma is under control based on how a person feels, doctor
visits should be on a regular basis.
How SLT works
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is an advancement over other lasers that
have been used safely and effectively in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma
for more than two decades.
SLT works by using laser light to stimulate the body's own healing response to
lower your eye pressure. Using a special wavelength and energy, The laser only
affects only pigmented (melanin containing) cells of your eye. SLT improves the
flow of fluid in the eye, which in turn lowers your eye pressure.
SLT targets only cells containing pigment.
The SLT laser is applied to trabecular meshwork, at the boundary of the iris.
How SLT is performed
SLT is usually performed in the physician's office and only takes a few
minutes. Prior to the procedure, eye drops will be given to prepare the eye for
treatment. The laser applications are made through a special microscope,
similar to the one used for eye examinations.
A lens is placed over the eye to direct the light to the trabecular meshwork.
What to expect after SLT treatment
Your eye pressure may drop as quickly as a day or more of having SLT performed.
The doctor may treat the eye with anti-inflammatory eye drops that will be
continued after the procedure. Most likely, you will have to return for
follow-up visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the side effects of SLT?
Unlike some glaucoma medications, there are no incidences of allergy or
systemic side-effects with SLT. Complications are minimal but may include
inflammation, temporary increase in eye pressure, blurred vision, headache,
iritis, corneal edema, corneal lesion, conjunctivitis, or eye pain. For more
information about SLT and how it may benefit you, please ask your doctor.
Will I feel anything with the laser treatment?
Generally, the laser treatment does not cause pain. However, studies show some
patients experience a sensation during treatment. You may see a green flash of
light, and feel nothing from the laser. The lens used on your eye may cause
some redness or irritation.
Will I still need to continue using my eyedrops following the SLT procedure?
Because each individual reacts differently to SLT, your doctor can best answer
this question.
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