What You Need To Know About SLT For Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a grouping of diseases that has the potential to damage the eye’s optic nerve, leading to vision loss and blindness. The optic nerve is a bundle of over one million nerve fibers that directs information between the retina in the eye and the brain. Without a healthy optic nerve, your vision becomes significantly cloudy and you may experience higher than normal eye pressure. One way to help treat glaucoma is through Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT). At Marano Eye Care, we use SLT to help relieve intraocular pressure in the eye for our patients suffering from glaucoma.
How Does Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Work?
SLT is a form of laser surgery that our opthamologists use as an initial treatment for glaucoma, and to help relieve eye pressure due to the condition when eye drop medications are no longer working. The treatment is referred to as “selective” because the type of laser used has minimal heat-energy absorption. It is only absorbed by specific pigmented tissue in the eye.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Recovery in NJ
As part of the procedure, the laser is applied to the drainage tissue in the eye, starting a chemical and biological change in the tissue. As a result, this creates better drainage of fluid through the tissue and out of the eye. After surgery, results can usually appear in one to three months, lowering pressure significantly by 30 percent. The effects of the surgery generally last between one to five years or longer, depending on the patient.
Am I A Candidate for Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty?
If you have primary or secondary open-angle glaucoma, or experiencing high levels of intraocular pressure, you are a possible candidate for SLT. After a complete exam and consultation with one of our eye doctors, we’ll determine if you are eligible for this procedure. If after several years the effects of SLT have worn off from your initial treatment, you may also be considered a candidate for a repeat treatment. As a note, repeat treatments may not be as effective as the initial operation.
What Is The Cost of Selective Laser Treatment
The procedure is an accepted glaucoma treatment that is FDA approved, so for people with insurance, the cost is covered by Medicare and other forms of medical insurance. For people who do not have insurance plan, then the co-pay will vary. Again, it will be important to discuss this with your doctor to see if this option makes sense for you. If it’s not the right procedure for you, your doctor at Marano Eye Care might recommend some alternatives. These include similar procedures such as argon laser trabeculoplasty and micropulse laser trabeculoplasty, both of which have comparable results when it comes to lowering pressure.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) in New Jersey
If you suffer from glaucoma and are looking for treatment, come visit an eye care specialist with experience in treating glaucoma conditions. At Marano Eye Care, we will ensure you get the best personalized care to address your condition. If you would like to learn more about our SLT and our other services, please, contact us today to schedule an appointment or for more information. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!
