Laser trabeculoplasty improves natural aqueous outflow and helps lower eye pressure. Indications are determined after gonioscopy and glaucoma assessment.
patients with primary open-angle glaucoma when the anterior chamber angle is open and the trabecular meshwork is accessible for laser treatment; selected patients with ocular hypertension and a risk of glaucomatous damage; patients who have difficulty maintaining a daily eye-drop regimen or whose current medications do not lower IOP enough;
patients who need additional IOP reduction while already using medication;
selected patients for repeat SLT when a previously successful effect has waned and angle anatomy remains suitable.
Seek an unscheduled assessment for severe pain, sudden vision loss , marked redness or significant deterioration after laser treatment.
In glaucoma, optic nerve damage is associated with a combination of factors, while intraocular pressure remains the main modifiable risk factor. Laser trabeculoplasty is used when IOP needs to be reduced through the eye’s natural drainage system.
Vision can be temporarily blurred after treatment.
Active intraocular inflammation, extensive peripheral anterior synechiae, poor visualization through corneal opacity and certain secondary glaucomas may alter the treatment choice. In advanced glaucoma the target IOP may be lower than laser alone can reliably achieve, so incisional surgery may need to be considered earlier.
SLT is not appropriate for every glaucoma mechanism. In a closed angle the trabecular meshwork is not accessible; in selected cases SLT may be considered after iridotomy if the angle opens adequately.
Arrange transport and avoid driving until the doctor says it is safe.
Do not stop glaucoma drops on your own before or immediately after the procedure. The regimen is changed only after the doctor reviews the IOP response.
Bring previous visual fields, optic nerve OCT, IOP records and a complete list of eye drops. This helps assess progression and target pressure.
Tell the doctor about any previous glaucoma laser or incisional surgery, including the eye and approximate date.
Urgent assessment is required for sudden major vision loss, severe eye pain, halos with nausea, marked redness or symptoms suggesting an acute angle-closure attack. Urgent: Seek urgent assessment after laser treatment for sudden vision loss, severe pain, increasing redness or symptoms suggesting an acute IOP rise.
Urgent assessment is required for sudden major vision loss, severe eye pain, halos with nausea, marked redness or symptoms suggesting an acute angle-closure attack.
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The doctor reviews diagnosis, current drops, pressure changes, previous operations and risk factors.
Pressure, optic nerve and visual fields are assessed; gonioscopy confirms laser access to the trabecular meshwork.
Topical anaesthetic is instilled; other medicines follow the doctor's protocol.
The doctor places a special contact lens to visualise the anterior-chamber angle.
Pulses are applied over the selected extent of trabecular meshwork.
The eye and pressure are assessed after treatment according to protocol, with follow-up and continuation or adjustment of pressure-lowering therapy.
Treatment of the trabecular meshwork helps improve aqueous fluid drainage in suitable types of glaucoma.
Laser treatment can be performed without a standard surgical incision into the eyeball.
When indicated, the doctor may consider repeat laser treatment based on the response to the previous procedure.
If pressure falls sufficiently, the doctor may adjust the drop regimen; medication must not be stopped independently.
Book a KazRIED laser surgeon consultation if you have open-angle glaucoma, elevated IOP or need reassessment of your current treatment.
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Laser trabeculoplasty helps lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by acting on the eye’s natural drainage system. Glaucomatous optic nerve damage involves several factors, while IOP remains the main modifiable risk factor.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) targets the trabecular meshwork within an open anterior chamber angle.
Current evidence supports its use as an additional treatment when drops are insufficient and as an initial treatment option for selected patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Effectiveness is assessed by achieving an individualized target IOP and maintaining subsequent optic nerve and visual field stability.
SLT does not restore visual field areas that have already been lost and does not guarantee freedom from pressure-lowering medication.
The goal is to reduce the risk of further optic nerve damage with a treatment profile acceptable to the patient.
IOP monitoring, periodic visual field testing, and optic nerve structural assessment remain necessary after SLT. A good laser response does not mean that glaucoma has been cured.
The target pressure may change if the disease progresses, and the effect of SLT may diminish over time.
Decisions about stopping drops, repeating laser treatment, or proceeding to surgery are based on examination findings over time. Patients should not change prescribed therapy independently.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
