Selective laser trabeculoplasty following failed combined phacoemulsification cataract extraction and excimer laser trabeculotomy can control intraocular pressure for a limited time

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) following failed phacoemulsification cataract extraction combined with excimer laser trabeculotomy (phaco-ELT). METHODS: Retrospectively, the medical records of patients with primary or secondary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who underwent SLT between January 2001 and February 2015 by one surgeon at a single center after a failed phaco-ELT were evaluated. Exclusion criteria were: angle-closure glaucoma, optic nerve atrophy due to disease other than glaucoma, and additional glaucoma procedures between phaco-ELT and SLT. The main outcome measures were time to failure and Kaplan–Meier survival. Complete success was defined as a reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) of > 3 mmHg and > 20% compared to baseline, and the number of AGM ≤ baseline. RESULTS: A total of 23 eyes of 21 subjects were included. Baseline IOP was 19.7 (range, 19.1–22.7) mmHg, and the number of AGM at baseline was 2.5 (range, 1.9–2.9). Median time to failure after SLT was 7.2 (range, 6.6–7.8) months. The number of antiglaucoma medications did not change during that time. CONCLUSIONS: In eyes in which the IOP is no longer controlled following phaco-ELT, SLT could be an option to slow disease progression or prolong time until incisional filtration surgery. However, time to failure after SLT is limited. Thus, close follow-up visits are necessary in order to not delay an incisional surgery.