The study, published last month in the journal Ophthalmology, finds selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) should be preferred as the first line of treatment in newly diagnosed ocular hypertension (OHT) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). It shows that after six years, SLT laser treatment (used as the first therapy for glaucoma), preserves vision better than using eye-drops first.
This is a joint study with collaborators from across the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital and NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, led by UCL Professor of Glaucoma Studies and Consultant in the Glaucoma Service at Moorfields Eye Hospital, Gus Gazzard.
SLT is a safe and effective option for lowering intraocular pressure for people who have early stage open-angle glaucoma. It can also be used in people who have ocular hypertension (OHT), who are at risk of developing glaucoma in the future if their eye pressure is not reduced.