A Review of the Clinical Usefulness of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty in Exfoliative Glaucoma

Abstract

In the last decade, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) has been commonly used in the management of several different types of glaucoma, as either primary or adjunct therapy. The technique has an excellent safety profile and is at least as effective as argon laser trabeculoplasty. Although the actual mechanism of action of SLT remains unclear, evidence has shown that it does not induce morphologically evident trabecular meshwork alterations. SLT's non-disruptive mode of action offers the advantage of repeatability. Exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) is a secondary open-angle glaucoma with unfavorable intraocular pressure (IOP) characteristics, which typically carries a poorer long-term prognosis than primary open-angle glaucoma. Consequently, patients with XFG often need multiple medications to achieve IOP levels that prevent disease progression. Because complicated pharmacotherapy regimens undermine the long-term tolerability and compliance of patients with XFG, options such as SLT may decrease the burden of multiple therapies and ultimately improve prognosis. In fact, SLT may be a particularly attractive option in XFG because the pigment-laden trabecular tissue of these patients enhances the absorption of laser energy and thus augments the biologic effects induced by this treatment. The current article reviews the postulated mechanisms of action of SLT, discusses practical aspects of SLT therapy, and examines selected peer-reviewed literature pertaining to the clinical usefulness of this modality in XFG patients.