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Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83:718-722 doi:10.1136/bjo.83.6.718
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

Selective laser trabeculoplasty vargon laser trabeculoplasty: a prospective randomised clinical trial

  1. Karim F Damji,
  2. Kirtida C Shah,
  3. William J Rock,
  4. Harkaran S Bains,
  5. William G Hodge
  1. University Of Ottawa Eye Institute, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  1. Dr Karim F Damji, University Of Ottawa Eye Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada.
  • Accepted 4 January 1999

Abstract

AIMS To compare the effectiveness of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT, a 532 nm Nd:YAG laser) with argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with medically uncontrolled open angle glaucoma.

METHODS A prospective randomised clinical trial was designed. Patients were randomised to treatment with either SLT or ALT and were evaluated at 1 hour, 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months post-laser.

RESULTS There were 18 eyes in each group. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. In the SLT group the mean IOP at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months was 22.8 (SD 3.0), 20.1 (4.6), 19.3 (6.0), and 17.8 (4.8) mm Hg, respectively. In the ALT group, the mean IOP at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months was 22.5 (3.6), 19.5 (4.7), 19.6 (5.6), and 17.7 (3.3) mm Hg, respectively. There was a greater anterior chamber reaction, 1 hour after SLT v ALT (p< 0.01). Patients with previous failed ALT had a better reduction in IOP with SLT than with repeat ALT (6.8 (2.4) v 3.6 (1.8) mm Hg; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION SLT appears to be equivalent to ALT in lowering IOP during the first 6 months after treatment. There is a slightly greater anterior chamber reaction 1 hour after SLT. Patients with previous failed ALT had a significantly greater drop in IOP when treated with SLT vALT. These results need to be confirmed with a larger sample size.

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