RESULTS OF SELECTIVE LASER TRABECULOPLASTY IN THE COMBINED TREATMENT OF PRIMARY OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA

Abstract

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is the «gold standard» for laser glaucoma treatment, but the mechanism of its effects on uveoscleral outflow is not clear. There is a discussion about using SLT during prostaglandin therapy. The study involved 41 patients (41 eyes), mean age 58,61±6,08 years, with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) I-II stage. SLT was performed against combined therapy and replaced one of its components. After replacing timolol, IOP decreased from 17,61±1,36 mm Hg to 15,19±1,29 mm Hg, the outflow facility increased from 0,132±0,022 mm3/mmHg × min to 0,170±0,019 mm3/mmHg × min, uveoscleral coefficient characterizing the proportion of uveoscleral outflow increased from 0,44±0 14 to 0,48±0,10. When replacing latanoprost, IOP decreased from 17,08±0,99 mm Hg to 16,08±2,78 mm Hg, the outflow facility increased from 0,129±0,022 mm3/mmHg × min to 0,157±0,024mm3/mmHg × min, uveoscleral ratio decreased from 0,45±0,07 to 0,42±0,09. Thus, in combination with prostaglandins SLT causes additional hypotensive effect at the expense of additional activation of uveoscleral outflow.