Real-world data from selective laser trabeculoplasty in Brazil

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Laser Therapy

Background:

• Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a common treatment for glaucoma.
• Real-world data on SLT outcomes in diverse populations is crucial for clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the real-world effectiveness of primary selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in Brazil.
• To identify predictors of treatment success and failure in a large cohort of Brazilian glaucoma patients.

Main Methods:

• Multicenter retrospective case series including 835 eyes from 835 patients undergoing primary SLT.
• Analysis of intraocular pressure, medication use, visual acuity, and visual field over a mean follow-up of 916.8 days.
• Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariable modeling to identify success predictors.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in intraocular pressure (18.4 to 14.8 mmHg) and glaucoma medications (1.8 to 1.4).
• Treatment success probability was 88% at 12 months, decreasing to 54% at 36 months.
• Denser angle pigmentation (HR 0.69) and post-SLT corticosteroid treatment (HR 0.59) were associated with a lower risk of failure.

Conclusions:

• Primary SLT demonstrates high success rates and a favorable safety profile in a large Brazilian patient cohort.
• Findings support SLT as an effective glaucoma treatment and provide insights into patient selection.
• Denser angle pigmentation and judicious use of corticosteroids post-SLT may enhance treatment longevity.