Controlling IOP with SLT and latanoprost

Both selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and latanoprost are effective at controlling the level and fluctuation of intraocular pressure (IOP), according to a study published online ahead of print by the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Dr Madhu Mahesh Nagar of Clayton Eye Centre, UK and colleagues treated open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OH) patients (n=40) randomly with either SLT or latanoprost, and measured IOP values at day 3, week 1, month 1 and month 4–6 postoperatively. The team defined IOP control success as a reduction of 20% over preoperative values. The team also measured tension curves before and 4–6 months after treatment, with success defined as a 50% reduction in fluctuation.

Patients treated with SLT experienced a mean IOP decrease of 4.7 mmHg, with a similar level of reduction experienced by latanoprost-treated patients; 75% of SLT-treated patients and 73% of latanoprost-treated patients achieved a successful level of IOP reduction. In terms of reducing fluctuation, latanoprost was the more effective treatment although both methods achieved a statistically significant reduction: latanoprost was successful in 83% of cases and SLT was successful in 50% of cases.

The researchers concluded that both SLT and latanoprost are effective at controlling IOP and reducing fluctuation, both with their own benefits: latanoprost is the more successful at reducing IOP fluctuation whereas SLT is a single interventional treatment, which does not require follow-up.