[Preliminary selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) intraocular pressure results in glaucoma patients in Burkina Faso].

INTRODUCTION

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the tonometric results of SLT treatment in patients with glaucoma.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This was a prospective study of patients with glaucoma who were seen from October 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018. All patients underwent SLT of the inferior 180°. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before and then at 1, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120days after treatment.

RESULTS

We studied 35 eyes of 31 patients. The mean age was 59.3 (±8.4years), range 43-77years. The mean IOP prior to SLT was 20.1mmHg (±7mmHg). One day after the laser, this decreased to 17.6mmHg (±8.4), for a percentage of drop of 12.4%. At 30days, it was 15.3mmHg (±5.4mmHg), i.e. a 23.9% decrease. After 60 and 90days, there was a drop of 13.9% and 15.4%, respectively. At 120days, 43.3% of treated eyes had a decrease of at least 20%. The main complication was increased IOP in 14.2% of cases.

CONCLUSION

SLT reduces IOP and the number of glaucoma medications in patients. It appears to be a viable alternative in our countries. These results should be confirmed with a larger cohort and longer follow-up.