Intraocular pressure-lowering medications and long-term outcomes of selective laser trabeculoplasty

To investigate the effects of current intraocular pressure-lowering medications on the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty.

Retrospective chart review of records from an urban glaucoma clinic in Sydney, Australia.

Patients who received their first selective laser trabeculoplasty between 2002 and 2005 were studied (grouped from 0 to 3 according to the number of pre-selective laser trabeculoplasty medications, and followed for 5 years). Those with previous argon laser therapy, trabeculectomy or angle-closure were excluded.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (Ellex) used to deliver 180 or 360 degree of treatment, under the same protocol.

Responders were defined by ≥20% reduction from baseline intraocular pressure. Data were censored when pressure-lowering intervention was required. The mean intraocular pressure, survivor, response rate, number and type of medications were compared.

There were 206 patients with ocular hypertension, primary, pseudo-exfoliation, or pigmentary glaucoma who used none (n = 20), one (n = 33), two (n = 61) or three or more (n = 92) pre-selective laser trabeculoplasty topical anti-glaucoma medications. The mean baseline intraocular pressures for each group was 23.7, 22.2, 20.7 and 20.4 mmHg, respectively (P = 0.061). Post-treatment mean intraocular pressure was 17.9, 17.7, 15.5, and 15.7 mmHg; percentage reduction was similar between groups (23.6-25.6%, P = 0.20). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed comparable survival rates across groups (P = 0.445). At 60 months, 11.1, 17.1, 30.5 and 11.5% of responders remained in each group. Higher proportions of patients in groups 2 and 3 required further laser or surgery.

The number of pre-selective laser trabeculoplasty medications did not affect the intraocular pressure-lowering effectiveness of selective laser trabeculoplasty; however, groups on more medications required more pressure-lowering interventions.