Researching progress in selective laser trabeculoplasty for glaucoma

Abstract

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.The treatment of glaucomatous eyes is a long-term procedure.Laser treatment is becoming one of the three major methods to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) of glaucomatous patients.Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) mainly targets to the pigment cells on the trabecular meshwork and makes it easier for fluid to flow out of the front part of the eye,decreasing pressure in the eye.But,the actual mechanism of this surgery is below understood now.Compared with other laser therapy,SLT uses a lower-level laser to open the drainage angle of the eye,and therefore cause rare or slight complication,so it is thought to be a repeatable therapy to the patients who needs further treatment.The principle,clinical application,efficacy,safety and study progress about SLT for glaucomatous eyes are reviewed. Key words: Laser therapy/method; Glaucoma, open angle, angle-closure/surgery; Intraocular pressure; Trabeculectomy; Trabeculoplasty/selective laser trabeculoplasty, argon laser trabeculoplasty; Chromatophore