Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) at Tunbridge Wells Hospital

What is glaucoma? 

Glaucoma is the name of a group of conditions in which the optic nerve at the back of the eye is damaged. This can cause you to lose your peripheral vision (side vision), and eventually the central vision as well. Damage usually occurs from increased pressure (IOP) in the eye.

What is Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)?

SLT is a simple procedure which can help to reduce to pressure in your eye. SLT uses short pulses of laser to unclog the eye drainage channels (the sink). It only targets cells containing a natural pigment called melanin.

In response, the body’s natural healing mechanisms go to work to rebuild these cells. This rebuilding process improves drainage and lowers the pressure in the eye.

The surrounding, non-pigmented cells – as well as the rest of the eye – are untouched and undamaged.

What are the benefits of SLT?

SLT effectively lowers raised IOP equivalent to daily drops. It can be used first-line standalone or alongside medication to enhance the overall IOP-lowering.

SLT is a newer form of a long-established treatment that has the advantage of not causing any damage to the tissue treated.

What happens during SLT?

Treatment takes place in the outpatient department. A doctor will take your written consent and if you have any questions, will explain further.

During the procedure:

1. A nurse will check your vision and put some drops in your eye to prevent the pressure rising and to make your pupil small. These drops might cause a temporary headache and can take up to 30 minutes to work.
2. Once seated in front of the laser machine, which looks similar to the microscope you'll have been examined with in clinic, you will have anaesthetic drops put in to numb the front of your eye.
3. A special lens will then be placed against the front surface of your eye. This isn't painful, but it might feel a little strange.

During the laser treatment, you might see some flashes of light and hear clicking noises. Most patients tolerate the laser treatment well, but some might feel slight discomfort.

How long does SLT take?

The procedure takes between 10 and 15 minutes in total.

Follow-up appointments

We will make an appointment for you to come back to the clinic, usually 2 to 4 months later. This follow-up appointment is to check that your eye is settling, although the treatment might take up to 8 weeks to work.

Recovery

Your vision will be blurred for a few hours following your laser treatment, but this will settle. The chance of your vision being permanently affected from SLT is extremely small. If you are concerned that your vision is not returning to normal, please contact us.

You are also advised not to drive yourself to the hospital, as you will be unable to drive home.

It is possible for the pressure in your eye to increase immediately after the treatment and for there to be inflammation. In order to prevent this, we put in special drops when we treat you.