Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
What is Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)?
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a laser procedure for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension that targets the trabecular meshwork, the eye’s natural drainage tissue. The laser energy triggers a chemical and biological response in this tissue, which can improve fluid outflow and lower intraocular pressure (IOP).
It is called “selective” because the laser mainly affects pigmented cells, leaving surrounding tissue largely intact. That precision helps keep SLT gentle and allows it to be repeated when needed.
At M&M Eye Institute, SLT is one of several advanced glaucoma treatments we use to create a personalized care plan based on your eye pressure goals, disease stage, and daily routine.
How SLT Lowers Eye Pressure
Inside the front of the eye, clear fluid (aqueous humor) is continuously produced and drained. In open-angle glaucoma, the trabecular meshwork does not drain fluid efficiently. Pressure builds up and can slowly damage the optic nerve.
During Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), your eye doctor applies low-energy laser pulses to this drainage tissue.
Benefits:
- Stimulates a natural healing response in the trabecular meshwork
- Improves fluid outflow through your eye’s own drainage pathway
- Lowers eye pressure by 20–30% when used as initial therapy
- Many patients experience pressure reduction comparable to first-line glaucoma eye drops, without the daily burden of applying medications.
How The SLT Procedure Works
Numbing drops prepare the eye
A special lens is placed on the eye
The laser selectively targets drainage tissue
Recovery After SLT Glaucoma Treatment
Recovery after Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty is typically quick and uncomplicated. The SLT procedure itself usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes per eye, and most patients are in the office for less than an hour total. After treatment, it is common to experience mild eye redness, light sensitivity, or a gritty sensation, but these effects are usually temporary and resolve within a few days. Vision is generally stable, though some patients notice brief blurriness on the day of the procedure. Eye pressure does not always decrease immediately; instead, intraocular pressure often lowers gradually over the following several weeks as the eye’s drainage system responds. Normal daily activities can usually be resumed the same day, with follow-up visits scheduled to monitor pressure and healing.
SLT Is Performed by Experienced Glaucoma Doctors
Our experienced glaucoma doctors perform Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, using advanced imaging and personalized care to help protect your vision long-term.
