Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) complicated by intraocular pressure elevation in eyes with heavily pigmented trabecular meshworks.

Purpose

To report and assess the complication of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevations after selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in patients with heavily pigmented trabecular meshworks.

Design

Noncomparative, observational case series.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of the medical files of four glaucoma patients with heavily pigmented trabecular meshwork, who presented with IOP elevations after SLT.

Results

All four glaucoma patients presented with post-SLT IOP elevations. Three had features of pigmentary dispersion syndrome, and the fourth had a heavily pigmented trabecular meshwork. Two patients had previous argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in the same eye in which SLT was performed, and one had a previous ocular trauma. Eventually, three of the patients required surgical trabeculectomy.

Conclusions

This case series suggests that post-SLT IOP elevations can be a serious adverse event in some glaucomatous patients. It is recommended by the authors that patients with a deeply pigmented trabecular meshwork, taking multiple topical medications and having previous ALT treatment, should be considered at higher risk for this complication.