Predictors of success in selective laser trabeculoplasty for primary open angle glaucoma in Chinese.

PURPOSE: To determine the predictors of success for adjuvant selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in Chinese primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients.

METHODS

This prospective study recruited Chinese subjects with unilateral or bilateral POAG currently taking medication to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). All subjects received a single session of 360° SLT treatment and continued their medications for 1 month. SLT success was defined as IOP reduction ≥20% at 1 month. The following covariates were analyzed in both groups via univariate and multivariate analyses: age, sex, lens status, initial IOPs, post-SLT IOPs, number and type of medications, SLT shots and energy, and pre-SLT investigations.

RESULTS

In 51 eyes of 33 POAG subjects, the success rate of SLT was 47.1%. Certain groups of patients were associated with greater success using univariate analysis. These groups included the following: older age (coefficient =0.1; OR: 1.1; P=0.0003), a higher pre-SLT IOP (coefficient =0.3; OR: 1.3; P=0.0005), using four types of antiglaucoma medication (coefficient =2.1; OR: 8.4; P=0.005), a greater degree of spherical equivalent (coefficient =2.1; OR: 8.4; P=0.005), and the use of a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (coefficient =1.7; OR: 6.0; P=0.003). None of the covariates were significant using multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Older age, a higher pretreatment IOP, using multiple antiglaucoma medications especially topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, and higher refractive errors were associated with greater SLT success.