Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
If you have healthy eyes, the fluid in your eye (aqueous humor) flows through your pupil into the front of your eye. It then drains away through drainage channels inside the eye. These channels are situated where the cornea (the clear front layer of the eye) and the iris (the colored part of the eye) meet. In some cases, these drainage channels do not work properly so your eye pressure increases. This increase in pressure is known as glaucoma and will eventually damage to the optic nerve which may impair vision and lead to blindness. SLT uses an advanced laser to target cells in the natural drainage channels of the eye known as the trabecular meshwork. Short pulses of low energy light are used to target only those cells containing melanin, a natural pigment, which boost the trabecular meshwork drainage cells. This means the fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye flows through the channels better, reducing the pressure in the eye. Aqueous humor is a completely different fluid to your tears which will not be affected by this laser treatment.
This is not a permanent treatment and may need to be repeated in the future to control your eye pressure adequately. SLT is not recommended for all types of glaucoma and does not work in all patients.
To find out if you may be a candidate for SLT, give our office a call at 870-269-3610 to be scheduled with Dr. Chris Deitrick!