Corneal topographic alterations after selective laser trabeculoplasty

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Corneal Imaging

Background:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a common treatment for POAG, aiming to reduce intraocular pressure.
• Understanding the long-term effects of SLT on corneal structure is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate long-term corneal alterations following a single session of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients.
• To assess changes in corneal topography after SLT treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of POAG patients treated with SLT.
• Comparison of pretreatment and post-treatment Scheimpflug corneal topographic (SCT) findings.
• Statistical analysis of various corneal parameters.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant changes were observed in central corneal thickness, thinnest corneal point, and posterior corneal asphericity at 5 and 8 mm post-SLT.
• No significant changes were found in simulated keratometry, anterior and posterior K values, anterior asphericity at 3 mm, posterior asphericity at 3 mm, and Zernike values.

Conclusions:

• Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) can induce subtle alterations in corneal topography within 3-6 months.
• A minimum 6-month waiting period after SLT is recommended before undertaking subsequent ocular surgeries reliant on corneal measurements.