Halt your glaucoma with selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in Harrisburg
Learn how this advanced treatment uses a laser to save your sight
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A gentler way to treat glaucoma
Discover how selective laser trabeculoplasty preserves your vision
Laser surgery has become increasingly popular as an intermediate step between medications and traditional glaucoma filtration surgery.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a relatively new laser treatment for open-angle glaucoma.
Although your doctor may suggest laser surgery at any time, we often suggest it after trying to control intraocular pressure with medicines first. In many cases, you will need to keep taking glaucoma drugs even after laser surgery.
SLT is for those:
- Who have been diagnosed with glaucoma
- Whose doctor has determined that SLT is appropriate for controlling their intraocular pressure
ALT can cause tissue destruction and scarring of healthy cells in the trabecular meshwork structure. SLT reduces intraocular pressure without this risk. SLT can be used to treat some patients who could not benefit from ALT. This includes patients who have already been treated with ALT.
Serious complications with SLT are extremely rare, but like any surgical procedure, it does have some risks. Going to a specialist experienced in SLT can minimize the risks.
If you and your doctor decide that SLT is an option for you, you will be given additional information about the procedure that will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed.
Be sure you have all your questions answered to your satisfaction.
Possible risks include:
- Eye pain or redness
- Eye pressure that’s still too high or even too low
- Loss of vision
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Bleeding in your eye
What to expect on procedure day
We will perform your treatment in a specially equipped laser room. It does not require a surgery center.
Step one: Once we have checked you in and made you feel comfortable, we will numb your eyes and position an eyelid holder between your eyelids to prevent you from blinking.
Step two: Your doctor will hold up a special lens to your eye as a high-energy beam of light is aimed at the lens and reflected onto the meshwork inside your eye. You may see flashes of bright green or red light. The laser will selectively target melanin-containing cells, resulting in increased fluid outflow.
You will not feel any pain during the procedure. The procedure takes 10-20 minutes.
Step three: We will check your eye pressure shortly after your procedure and may prescribe you with drops to alleviate any soreness or swelling inside the eye. You should relax for the rest of the day.
Follow-up visits are necessary to monitor your eye pressure.
It may take a few weeks to see the full pressure-lowering effect of this procedure. During this time, you may have to continue taking your medication.
Many patients are eventually able to discontinue some of their medications. Most patients resume activities within a few days.
If you would like more information about this procedure you can make an appointment or contact the office for additional information.
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Academic resources on glaucoma
FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THIS TREATMENT FROM AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES
Glaucoma damage is permanent—it cannot be reversed. But medicine and surgery help to stop further damage. To treat glaucoma, your ophthalmologist may use one or more of the following treatments. Click here to read on.
Surgery isn’t usually the first step to treat glaucoma, but it may save your eyesight if other treatments don’t work. Click here to read on.
This article explores the potential risks of glaucoma surgery and explains why the benefits outweigh risks for most advanced cases. Click here to read on.
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CHOOSE THE MOST EXPERIENCED CATARACT AND LASIK SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
Dr. Bennett Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR, GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY
Dr. Bennett Chotiner is the founder and medical director of Memorial Eye Institute. A noted innovator, in 1977 he established his clinical practice, the Pennsylvania Eye Associates. In 1984, he established the Pennsylvania Eye Surgery Center, Pennsylvania’s first …
Dr. Erik A Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.
GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY
Erik Chotiner, M.D. diagnoses and treats a wide range of medical eye conditions. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Franklin and Marshall College. Dr. Chotiner attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received multiple awards including the Physiology Prize for …
