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The SLT Laser is a breakthrough in glaucoma therapy. In Glaucoma damage occurs to the nerve of vision (optic nerve) which serves to send vision information to the brain. One important and modifiable factor in this damage is eye pressure, which is often elevated due to a defect in drainage of fluid out of the eye. (This fluid is inside the eye and is not related to excess tearing on the outside!) The prevalent "open angle" type of glaucoma causes a gradual loss of vision due to slow but progressive damage to the optic nerve (nerve of vision). In this condition, the damage to the nerve is related to the excess pressure in the eye.

Traditionally, the initial treatment of this condition has been eyedrops, but eyedrops have their limitations. These include local and systemic side effects, problems with patients not remembering to use their drops (poor compliance), and the high cost of medications (hundreds of dollars a year, even with a prescription plan).

The SLT laser can now be used as initial therapy for most patients with glaucoma, or as adjunctive therapy to assist the action of drops, or to replace the need for a drop. In contrast to drops, the SLT laser essentially has no long-term risk of side effects and is usually brief and painless. It avoids compliance problems since it works 24/7, and often is fully covered by insurances (Medicare pays 80%). It does not affect your lifestyle. It causes no damage or cutting of eye tissues.

Many people will only need the treatment once per eye. If the laser stops working or glaucoma worsens, it can usually be repeated without harming the eye. This is in contrast to former laser treatments, which could only be used once or twice in a lifetime.

The SLT laser works in about 90% of patients. Drops or surgery are always an option if the laser either doesn't work or doesn't work well enough on its own.

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