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Selective laser trabeculoplasty versus micropulse laser trabeculoplasty for intraocular pressure control in patients with primary open angle glaucoma: a 12-month retrospective comparative study

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Abstract

This study was designed to compare the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and micropulse laser trabeculoplasty (MLT) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) requiring additional IOP control. In this retrospective, comparative study, we reviewed the charts of POAG patients requiring additional IOP lowering, who underwent either SLT or MLT and were followed for at least one year. We evaluated mean intraocular pressure (IOP), mean IOP reduction from baseline and mean number of glaucoma medications 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Success rates (success defined as IOP ≤ 21 mmHg and ≥ 20% reduction from baseline IOP without additional medications, new laser session, or glaucoma surgery) at one year were also compared. A total of 98 POAG patients were included, 52 individuals in the SLT group and 46 in the MLT group. Laser treatment resulted in significant mean IOP reductions from baseline in both groups (SLT = -6.0 ± 3.3 mmHg (24.9%) and MLT = -5.8 ± 2.6 mmHg (23.4%)) (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the mean IOP reductions in both groups (p = 0.74). At 12 months, the mean number of glaucoma medications was significantly smaller in the SLT group (1.17 + 0.4) when compared to the MLT group (2.21 + 0.2) (p = 0.001). Additionally, after 12 months, success was obtained in 32 (61.5%) SLT cases compared to 27 (58.7%) MLT-treated eyes (p = 1.0). MLT and SLT are both effective in controlling the IOP in POAG patients requiring additional IOP reduction. However, after 12 months, SLT demonstrated a greater efficacy in reducing medication burden when compared to MLT.

Trial registration: CEP/CONEP/MS Brazil 40948620.9.0000.5600

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Upon reasonable request. De-identified participant data upon request to corresponding author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNIME University, R. Ten Fernando Tuy, n.168/902, Salvador, BA, 41830498, Brazil

    Roberto Lauande Pimentel

  2. Unime Medical School, Lauro de Freitas, Brazil

    Reinaldo Rios Alves Júnior

  3. Univisão Institute of Ophthalmology, Salvador, Brazil

    Walquiria Maria Mendonça Lisboa Lima & Luciano Oliveira Rosa Dantas

  4. Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil

    Vital Paulino Costa

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Contributions

RLP obtained funding. Study, Design: RLP, DL, VPC. Patient recruitment: WL, RR, WL. Laser application: RLP. Data collection WL, RR, DL. Data analysis: DL, RR, VPC. Drafting manuscript: RL, RR, VPC.

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Correspondence to Roberto Lauande Pimentel.

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Ethics approval

CEP/CONEP 40948620.9.0000.5600.

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Patient consent for publication was not required.

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Universal Trial Number (UTN)

U1111-1267–2146

Trial registration

Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec) #11403.

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Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

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Pimentel, R.L., Alves Júnior, R.R., Lima, W.M.M.L. et al. Selective laser trabeculoplasty versus micropulse laser trabeculoplasty for intraocular pressure control in patients with primary open angle glaucoma: a 12-month retrospective comparative study. Lasers Med Sci 38, 102 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03771-9

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