Selective laser trabeculoplasty as a replacement for medical therapy in open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as a replacement for medical therapy in controlled open-angle glaucoma.

DESIGN

Prospective, non-randomized, interventional clinical trial.

METHODS

SLT was performed inferiorly in 66 eyes of 66 patients with medically controlled primary open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or exfoliation glaucoma, and no history of glaucoma surgery. The primary outcome was number of medications at 6 and 12 months while maintaining a pre-determined target intraocular pressure (IOP).

RESULTS

The mean of the differences in medications from baseline was 2.0 (95% confidence interval = 1.8-2.3) at 6 months, and 1.5 (1.27-1.73) at 12 months (P < .0001). The group mean of medications was 2.8 +/- 1.1 at baseline, 0.7 +/- 0.9 at 6 months, and 1.5 +/- 0.9 at 12 months (P < .0001). Reduction in medications was attained in 64 of 66 eyes (97%) at 6 months, and 52 of 60 (87%) at 12 months.

CONCLUSION

SLT enabled a reduction in medicine in controlled OAG over 12 months.