SLT can be used to widen the openings in the eye's drainage system, thereby lowering the pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma. This medical laser treatment is normally safe, painless, quick and is performed in our office.

Compared to the original laser treatment of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), selective laser trabeculoplasty does not burn trabecular meshwork tissues. SLT uses an extremely short burst of laser energy to selectively treat pigmented cells found in the trabecular meshwork. Pigment cells that may be clogging the trabecular meshwork are removed without causing any structural changes or scarring to the trabecular meshwork. This fact offers a distinct advantage over ALT in that SLT may potentially be repeated as needed by the patient. Lowering intraocular pressure by SLT may also reduce the need for patients to use eye drop medications. SLT is also a patient friendly procedure. It can be performed in the office in about 5 minutes with only topical anesthesia. Patients who are not controlled by eye drops, who cannot afford eye drops or who have poor compliance with eye drops are good candidates for SLT.