Preoperative intraocular pressure as a predictor of selective laser trabeculoplasty efficacy.

PURPOSE: To identify predictors of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction following selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in patients with high- and low-pressure primary open-angle glaucoma, who are already taking maximally tolerated IOP-lowering medication and need further IOP reduction.

METHODS

In this prospective interventional case series, 157 eyes of 157 open-angle glaucoma patients who were assigned for SLT for further IOP reduction were included. Each patient had diurnal IOP measurements taken before and on average 6 months following SLT. The mean of six IOP measurements was compared. The following parameters were analysed for their association with SLT success: age, gender, spherical equivalent, high-pressure or normal-pressure open-angle glaucoma, number and type of pressure-lowering medications, lens status, pre-SLT IOP, IOP at the time of diagnosis, duration of glaucoma, visual field stage and central corneal thickness.

RESULTS

The only parameter that was predictive for absolute and relative mean diurnal IOP reduction after SLT was the preoperative mean diurnal IOP. One hundred per cent of the patients with a mean diurnal preoperative IOP of more than 18 mmHg had an IOP reduction after SLT. With mean diurnal preoperative values of 14-18 mmHg, 83.1% of the patients, and with values below 14 mmHg only 64% of the patients, showed an IOP reduction. This difference was statistically significant (>18 compared to 14-18: p = 0.002; >18 compared to <14: p = 0.001; 14-18 compared to <14: p = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

The pressure-lowering effect of SLT can best be predicted by the individual IOP level before treatment. Patients with mean diurnal IOP levels below 14 mmHg might not benefit from the procedure at all.