SLT

[Nala2509]

I had SLT on both eyes in January and at that time my pressures were 11 & 13. At my next check up 3 weeks after the procedure, they had gone up to 16 & 18. Is this normal, I continued to use my drops as normal as instructed by the doctor. I have another check up in 4 weeks time to check the pressures again. I am disappointed and worried.

[Hidden]

Hi Natalie. In layman's terms, SLT works by a laser damaging part of the trabecular mesh and your body jumping into action to repair the damage. The hope being that the repair is better than what the laser removed. The laser creates inflammation which is why steroids are given following the operation.

Both the inflammation and the steroids can cause a rise in eye pressures which might explain why you saw increased numbers. It can take a number of weeks for the inflammation to subside and eye pressures can remain elevated for some days from steroids even after they are stopped. On top of that I believe it can take up to 12 weeks to determine if the SLT has been successful.

I'd try to stay calm and wait for the next appointment. Stress can cause the healing process to be slower. SLT doesn't always work (it didn't for me) but it would be very unusual to make the situation worse.

[Nala2509 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, that is really helpful. Unfortunately the hospital didn’t advise me that my pressures may rise before settling down, hopefully that will happen.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Nala2509, It can take up to 2 months for the SLT to settle and show the full affect. They will be hoping to see a reduction at your next appointment. Sometimes the SLT doesnt work as well as hoped. It may be repeated if the consultant feels it is worth trying again or they may discuss other options if they feel that eyedrops alone are not working in controlling your glaucoma.

[Nala2509 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you, hopefully things will have settled by the time I go for my next check up.

[valfrance]

Hi Nala, I had slt last year in march my pressure increased and i was taking 2 kinds of drops. it takes at least 6-8 week for your eyes to settle. My pressure was 28 in both eyes...i was on 2 kinds of drops... the lowest it got down to was 23/25.. they wanted me to change to a beta blocker... i got slt... stayed on 2 drops for 4 weeks after... then i went down to 1 drop monoprost... my pressure went up and down slightly throughout the year. almost 1 year later... 1 drop monoprost and my pressure is 18 in both eyes... no further damage apparantly. I did change my lifestyle and i take natural supplements and food for glaucoma and to help your macular. hope this helps valfrance

[Nala2509]

Thank you, it does help to give me reassurance that hopefully within time my pressures will reduce back down to where they were before I had SLT.