Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)

A common laser treatment for glaucoma is called selective laser trabeculoplasty, or SLT. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is becoming a widely accepted treatment option in glaucoma treatment. Dr. Feulner can now lower pressure that can help a patient avoid a more invasive glaucoma surgery. SLT can also reduce dependence on medications or drops.

SLT is a laser that treats the drain directly to help increase the outflow of fluid. It treats specific cells”selectively,” leaving the trabecular meshwork intact. For this reason, SLT may be safely repeated. The surgical process involves numbing the eye with topical eye drops so that you will not feel the laser treatment. In SLT, laser treatment is applied to the drain of your eye in order to open it up and let fluid out, lowering the eye pressure and saving your sight. SLT treatment takes only a few minutes, is performed in the office, is safe, and effectively lowers eye pressure in most people. The treatment is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating glaucoma and is covered by essentially all insurance plans. After the procedure anti-inflammatory drops are used.