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J GlaucomaJuly 202120 citations

Low-energy Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Repeated Annually: Rationale for the COAST Trial.

Realini Tony, Gazzard Gus, Latina Mark, Kass Michael


AI Summary

The COAST trial investigates if annual, low-energy SLT as primary glaucoma therapy offers longer medication-free survival than standard SLT, potentially improving patient adherence and outcomes.

Abstract

The recent Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension Trial provided the evidentiary basis for a paradigm shift away from the historical medication-first approach to glaucoma--which has numerous limitations, the most important of which is poor adherence to therapy --and toward a laser-first approach. Now 20 years after its commercialization, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is routinely performed consistently with its initial description, with energy titrated to the appearance of fine, champagne-like cavitation bubbles. A recent data set suggested that lower energy SLT, applied as primary therapy and repeated annually irrespective of intraocular pressure--rather than pro re nata when its effect wanes and irrespective of intraocular pressure rises --yields longer medication-free survival than standard energy SLT repeated pro re nata. A new study--Clarifying the Optimal Application of SLT Therapy --has been initiated to explore this preliminary finding in a pair of consecutive randomized trials. Herein, we provide an evidence-based rationale for the use of low-energy SLT repeated annually as primary therapy for mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma or high-risk ocular hypertension.


MeSH Terms

Glaucoma, Open-AngleHumansIntraocular PressureLaser TherapyOcular HypertensionTrabeculectomyTreatment Outcome

Key Concepts3

A recent data set suggested that lower energy selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), applied as primary therapy and repeated annually irrespective of intraocular pressure, yields longer medication-free survival than standard energy SLT repeated pro re nata.

Comparative EffectivenessExpert OpinionPreliminary Data Analysisn=Not specifiedCh28Ch38

There is an evidence-based rationale for the use of low-energy selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) repeated annually as primary therapy for mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma or high-risk ocular hypertension.

TreatmentExpert OpinionRationale for Treatment Approachn=Not specifiedCh11Ch12Ch38

The Clarifying the Optimal Application of SLT Therapy (COAST) study has been initiated to explore the preliminary finding that lower energy selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), applied as primary therapy and repeated annually, yields longer medication-free survival than standard energy SLT repeated pro re nata, in a pair of consecutive randomized trials.

MethodologyExpert OpinionStudy Rationalen=Not specifiedCh28Ch38

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