A Comparison of Efficacy and Safety Between 90 degrees and 180 degrees Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the intraocular pressure-lowering effect and safety between 180 degrees and 90 degrees selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). METHODS: From January 2006 to august 2006, in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, SLT was performed 90 degrees to the right eye and 180 degrees to the left eye within the same patient. Intraocular pressure was checked at 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after SLT. Anterior chamber reaction and ocular pain was checked at postoperative 1 day. Peripheral anterior synechia was examined at 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (28 eyes) of primary open-angle glaucoma and two patients (4 eyes) of ocular hypertension were included. There was no difference of intraocular pressure between 180 degrees group and 90 degrees group preoperatively. However, there were statistically significant differences from postoperative 1 hour (p=0.003), through 1 week (15.6+/-2.3 mmHg in 90 degrees group, 14.0+/-2.5 mmHg in 180 degrees group; p=0.000), to 6 months (p=0.001). Thirty-two percent of the 90 degrees group and Seventy-five percent of the 180 degrees group showed successful intraocular pressure decrease. There was a slightly higher complication rate of anterior chamber reactions and transient intraocular pressure spikes in the 180 degrees group. CONCLUSIONS: Performing 180 degrees SLT seems the safest procedure that guarantees the successful intraocular pressure decrease.