Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty in Boca Raton, FL

Fluid buildup in the eye can increase intraocular pressure and damage the eye's optic nerve. This common vision threat is called glaucoma, and early intervention is vital to slowing the progression of the disease and preventing vision loss. A selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a minimally invasive procedure to treat open-angle glaucoma. SLT laser surgery for glaucoma targets the eye's fluid-draining trabecular meshwork with short pulses of lower-energy laser light, prompting the body's natural healing process to produce new, healthy tissue that will properly drain fluid from the eye. Clewner & Kelly Eye Center is proud to offer selective laser trabeculoplasty and invites you to schedule a consultation with one of our glaucoma specialists in Boca Raton, FL, to learn if SLT can help preserve your vision.

This glaucoma operation to pressure in the eye has many benefits. Some of those benefits include:

• Outpatient procedure
• Minimally invasive; does not damage trabecular meshwork
• Can be repeated as or if needed
• Reduces dependency on daily eye drops and medications
• Reduces intraocular pressure
• Reduced likelihood of developing cataracts
• Slow the progression of macular degeneration

You or a loved one may be a candidate for selective laser trabeculoplasty in Boca Raton, FL if you currently suffer from secondary op-angle glaucoma and need to lower the pressure in your eye. It's possible that you can also be a candidate if:

• Have a history of other failed argon laser trabeculoplasty treatments
• Are intolerant of other glaucoma medications or find it challenging to take them as prescribed
• Are currently undergoing glaucoma drug therapy and want to combine it with SLT
• Have ocular hypertension
• Experience uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP)

This treatment may also work for those who have found it difficult to come to regular follow-up appointments. If you believe you'd benefit from this treatment, contact our eye professionals to set up an appointment.

At Clewner & Kelly Eye Center, a selective laser trabeculoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure and generally takes only 5 – 10 minutes per eye. Before the procedure, a member of our team will administer anesthetic drops to your eyes so that you experience minimal discomfort. Using targeted laser energy, our glaucoma specialist will create a series of micro-injuries in the trabecular meshwork of your eyes. As the laser is selective, only targeted areas are affected, and the surrounding healthy tissue will be preserved. The body's natural healing ability will then generate healthy new tissue in the eye's trabecular meshwork, which will enhance the drainage system within the eye. Directly following the procedure, you may experience some blurred vision and eye irritation, but these effects should only last around 24 hours. Intraocular pressure should decrease after SLT eye surgery, with maximum results measurable after approximately three months.

There is virtually no downtime after having SLT. You may experience some blurred vision or irritation for the next two days or less; however, you can get right back to your normal everyday activities. Prescription eye drops may be suggested to avoid infection and better promote the healing process. We will likely schedule a follow-up appointment to check your intraocular pressure and for other signs of glaucoma.

Does SLT work for all types of Glaucoma?

While selective laser trabeculoplasty works on many forms of glaucoma, it does not work on every form. Based on your condition, our Boca Raton, FL team will help you decide if SLT is the right treatment option for your needs.

How long does it take for selective laser trabeculoplasty to work?

The full effect of the procedure can usually be measured in about three months, and the effect can last up to five years in some patients.

Can selective laser trabeculoplasty be repeated?

Yes, this laser treatment for glaucoma can be repeated if the original effect is no longer active. Your ophthalmologist at Clewner & Kelly Eye Center will discuss all your glaucoma treatment options with you prior to repeating SLT.

If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, you may fear gradual vision loss and a serious detrimental impact on your overall quality of life. Thankfully, the vast majority of glaucoma patients who visit their eye doctor regularly and receive treatment will retain their vision. A selective laser trabeculoplasty is a quick and minimally invasive laser treatment for glaucoma that can help reduce intraocular pressure. To discuss this and other treatment options for glaucoma, consult one of our board-certified ophthalmologists at Clewner & Kelly Eye Center in Boca Raton, FL.