Selective laser trabeculectomy has long-term efficacy over eye drops for glaucoma - Medical Dialogues

This study compares the clinical efficacy of the initial SLT treatment to IOP-lowering eye drops after 6 years of treatment in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQL) and clinical outcomes.

Those in the SLT arm were offered a third SLT after the first three years of the experiment, if necessary; patients in the drops arm were allowed SLT as a switch or escalation in treatment.

In the LiGHT experiment, 633 patients (91.5%) of the 692 patients who completed the first three years joined the extension phase, while 524 patients (82.8% of those who entered the extension phase and 73% of those who were initially randomized) finished the trial after six years.

The researchers came to the conclusion that SLT is a safe and effective treatment for OAG and OHT, offering superior long-term disease control than initial drop therapy, with less need for incisional glaucoma and cataract surgery over 6 years.

LiGHT trial: 6-year results of primary selective laser trabeculoplasty versus eye drops for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News.