by Dr. Robert Benza, MD
15. June 2014 06:00
How does laser treatment compare with drops for the treatment of open angle glaucoma? Many patients want to know the answer to this question. Primary open angle glaucoma, also known as POAG often is associated with elevated eye pressure due to the eyes decreased ability to drain fluid over time. Historically, eye drops which decrease the production of fluid in the eye or increase the outflow of fluid through the "drain" would be used as a first therapy to control the pressure.
For many years, laser treatment also was very successful with ALT (Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty). Light beam treatment was performed in an office setting into the drain to increase outflow and decrease pressure. Most physicians used this treatment once drops were no longer successful. In the last few years, the laser technology is even better. SLT is the latest of the lasers used for open angle glaucoma. This is more of a cool laser which does not cause any surrounding damage unlike previous technologies. It is easy to apply and very successful. There is an 80% chance that a patient will respond to treatment and half of those patients will still have an effect up to 5 years later. The treatment only takes a few minutes in the office and the patient is very comfortable during the session. If you have glaucoma, talk with your eye physician about all your treatment options. Some physicians will even use SLT prior to glaucoma drops.
Remember, protect those eyes!!
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