After the 5 minute SLT Laser Treatment, there is little if any discomfort to the patient. Mild discomfort can be treated by the patient with a clean cool compress lightly pressed over the treated eye, and an aspirin or other over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pill (NSAID).
A prescription for kertolac or bromfenac can be written and given to the patient to fill at their own discretion if the discomfort warrants it. If used, the patient and pharmacist can choose which of the two to fill, based on whichever is more cost-effective, and it can be used for 3 days. If the patient does not need to fill the prescription he or she can throw out the written prescription after four days since any discomfort should have passed by that time. If redness or discomfort persists, patients should call their doctor.
Thanks to Seth A. Biser, M.D* (see below) for consulting on this article.
Below, an excerpt from the article:
"Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty: 10 Commonly Asked Questions
by Brian A. Francis, MD
Read the full article here.
What are the risks?
One key aspect of SLT is a favorable side
effect profile, even when compared with glaucoma medications.
Post-operative inflammation is common but generally mild, and treated
with observation or eye drops or an oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug. There is an approximately 5% incidence of IOP elevation after laser, which can be managed by glaucoma medications and usually goes away after 24 hours.
From the article by Brian A. Francis, MD, Associate Professor of
Ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine,
University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California
* Dr. Biser of Fleetwood Ophthalmology, Fleetwood, NY is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and is a member of the Medical Advisory Board of The Eye Bank for Sight Restoration (New York). He has published articles, abstracts, and book chapters; presented findings at national and international meetings; and received several awards for his research.
