| Summary: | A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences , University of
the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology === Aims
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of SLT as a treatment option in black patients
with open angle glaucoma and to distinguish which patients are most likely to
respond to SLT.
Methods
The study is a retrospective case-series of black patients collected at St. John’s Eye
Hospital in Johannesburg. Data from 46 eyes were collected from the files of
patients who had had SLT at least six months previously. The data collected included
demographic factors, ocular characteristics and intraocular pressure (IOP) before and
at each visit after selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). The data were analysed
statistically firstly by comparing the pre-SLT IOP with the average post-SLT IOP, and
secondly by Kaplan-Meir analysis of the duration of IOP control post-SLT.
Results
The mean age of participants was 58,3 years. The mean follow up time was 8
months (range1 week to 33 months). The mean pre-SLT IOP was 20,7mmHg and the
mean post–SLT IOP was 17,8mmHg. The change in IOP was statistically significant
(p<0,001). The mean reduction in IOP was a 12% reduction from baseline. The mean
duration of IOP control by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 13 months. The only
demographic or ocular factor associated with a greater reduction in IOP was
trabecular meshwork pigmentation. Patients with higher pigmentation had a median
IOP reduction of 23,0% and those with low pigmentation a median reduction of
3,5%.
Conclusion
SLT resulted in a statistically significant but modest reduction in IOP in black
glaucoma patients. The average reduction in IOP was 12% from baseline. High
trabecular meshwork pigmentation was associated with a statistically significantly
greater reduction in IOP. === MT2016
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