To investigate long-term outcomes and predictive success factors for selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT).
MethodsThis retrospective chart review included 66 eyes of 66 glaucoma or ocular hypertension patients who underwent SLT between 2004 and 2011. All patients were followed-up for at least 2 years after the procedure. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before the treatment, at postoperative 1 week, 1 month and every 3 months thereafter. Success was defined as an IOP decrease ≥ 3 mm Hg or ≥ 20% of the pretreatment IOP. The success rate was determined based on the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The predictive success factors were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model.
ResultsThe mean follow-up period was 4.78 ± 1.98 (2-8) years. The mean pretreatment IOP was 23.79 ± 2.83 mm Hg. The mean IOP reduction was 6.64 ± 3.21 mm Hg. The success rates were 80%, 75%, 69%, 63%, 50%, 45%, and 42% after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 years, respectively. Only high pretreatment IOP was significantly correlated with success ( p = 0.044).
ConclusionsSLT was an effective tool for lowering IOP in glaucoma patients. Higher pretreatment IOP was a predictive success factor.