Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss, and it often develops without early warning signs. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, or SLT, is a proven, minimally invasive laser treatment that helps lower the eye pressure driving glaucoma damage.
What SLT Treats
SLT is used to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
Elevated eye pressure is the single most important risk factor for glaucoma, a condition in which the optic nerve is gradually damaged and peripheral (side) vision is lost over time.
Because glaucoma often causes no symptoms until it is advanced, many patients don't realize their vision is at risk until a comprehensive eye exam reveals elevated pressure or early nerve changes.
SLT is frequently recommended for patients who:
- Have been newly diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma and want a first-line alternative to daily drops
- Are already using glaucoma drops but need additional pressure lowering
- Have trouble remembering, tolerating, or affording their eye drops
- Want to reduce their dependence on medication
How SLT Works
SLT uses a low-energy laser to target the eye's natural drainage tissue, called the trabecular meshwork. The "selective" part of the name means that the laser is tuned to affect only the pigmented cells in that tissue, leaving the surrounding structures untouched, which is what makes SLT gentle and repeatable, unlike older laser techniques that caused more tissue disruption.
When the laser is applied, it triggers a natural healing response in the drainage tissue. As the body responds, fluid drains out of the eye more efficiently, and eye pressure comes down. However, the full effect is not immediate. It can take a few weeks to a couple of months to develop.
The treatment itself is quick, typically about five minutes per eye, and is performed right in the office.
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