The IOP lowering effects of "planning" selective laser trabeculoplasty in open angle glaucoma

PurposeTo investigate whether the planning of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) influences the intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG). MethodsIn this retrospective case-control study conducted on patients with OAG who planned to undergo SLT treatment (SLT group) or a visual field examination (VF group), we collected the demographic data, IOP on the planning day and on the scheduled day of the SLT treatment or VF examination. Delta IOP was defined as the IOP change between the planning day and the scheduled day. We used multivariable regression analyses and linear mixed model to evaluate the association between the abovementioned factors and Delta IOP in the VF group and the treatment eye (SLTt) and fellow eye (SLTf) of the SLT group. ResultsOne hundred and fifty-three eyes of 102 patients with OAG were included, of which 51 patients in the SLT group and 51 patients in the VF group. The Delta IOP was -1.92 +/- 2.77 mmHg in the SLTt, -0.65 +/- 2.47 mmHg in the SLTf and -0.08 +/- 1.73 mmHg in the VF group (P < 0.05). Both multivariable regression analysis between the VF and SLTt group and linear mixed model in the SLT group showed significant negative association between the Delta IOP and SLT arrangement (P < 0.05). There was no significant association between Delta IOP and age, gender, baseline IOP, IOP fluctuation, nor SE. ConclusionsThe IOP was significantly reduced in patients with OAG after "planning" of SLT treatment, even without actual performing the laser treatment in our retrospective case-control study.