Long-Term Outcomes and Predictive Factors for Success of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate long-term outcomes and predictive success factors for selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). METHODS: This retrospective chart review included 66 eyes of 66 glaucoma or ocular hypertension patients who underwent SLT between 2004 and 2011. All patients were followed-up for at least 2 years after the procedure. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before the treatment, at postoperative 1 week, 1 month and every 3 months thereafter. Success was defined as an IOP decrease > or = 3 mm Hg or > or = 20% of the pretreatment IOP. The success rate was determined based on the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The predictive success factors were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 4.78 +/- 1.98 (2-8) years. The mean pretreatment IOP was 23.79 +/- 2.83 mm Hg. The mean IOP reduction was 6.64 +/- 3.21 mm Hg. The success rates were 80%, 75%, 69%, 63%, 50%, 45%, and 42% after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 years, respectively. Only high pretreatment IOP was significantly correlated with success (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: SLT was an effective tool for lowering IOP in glaucoma patients. Higher pretreatment IOP was a predictive success factor.