SLT decreases diurnal IOP

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) can result in significant decreases in mean diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) and diurnal IOP fluctuation, according to Gàbor Holló and colleagues from the University of Budapest, Hungary.

Twenty-six eyes of 13 primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients underwent a standard 360-degree SLT; the IOP curve was repeated three and six months postoperatively. IOP lowering medication was started if mean IOP was higher than 22 mmHg or any single IOP value exceeded 26 mmHg at any follow-up examination.

Postoperative IOP elevation was recorded in 16 eyes. Baseline mean IOP and diurnal IOP fluctuation were higher for the eleven eyes requiring medication before the three-month examination than for the other eyes (mean IOP: 28.8±5.2 mmHg versus 20.8±3.1 mmHg, unpaired t-test p<0.0001; IOP fluctuation: 9.5±3.7 mmHg versus 6.8±1.9 mmHg, p=0.0423). For the eyes with no medication, mean IOP decreased from 19.3±1.4 mmHg to 18.6±1.4 mmHg by month three and to 18.2±2.0 mmHg by month six. Diurnal fluctuation decreased from 7.2±2.3 mmHg to 4.3±1.7 mmHg by month three and to 5.1±1.7 mmHg by month six.

Dr Holló and co-workers concluded that SLT can result in significant decreases in mean diurnal IOP and fluctuation.