Efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty versus latanoprost as initial management in glaucoma

Eficácia da trabeculoplastia seletiva a laser versus latanoprosta como tratamento inicial no glaucoma

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To compare the hypotensive effect of SLT vs the use of latanoprost in the initial management of patients with suspected glaucoma and diagnosis of glaucoma. To evaluate the patients’ quality of life using the Glaucoma Quality of Life questionnaire.

Methods:

Randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in the city of Cartagena, Colombia, between October 2021 to June 2023. Assignment to the SLT or latanoprost group with follow-up at days 7, 30, 90, 180, and 365 in patients diagnosed with suspected glaucoma, mild and moderate glaucoma.

Results:

31 patients (60 eyes), of which 17 were men. Group SLT were 31 eyes and the latanoprost group included 29 eyes. The mean baseline IOP of the SLT group was 18.9mmHg and in the latanoprost group, it was 19.6mmHg. The mean IOP at the end of the follow-up group SLT was 13.9mmHg and for latanoprost 14.5mmHg. The IOP reduction percentage at one year of follow-up in the SLT group was 23.4% and that of the latanoprost group was 23.6%

Conclusions:

Selective laser trabeculoplasty with Nd-YAG laser is as effective as the use of prostaglandin analogues as initial treatment in the early stages of glaucoma. Regarding the quality of life scale, although there were no statistically significant differences in both groups, the SLT showed an increase in the difficulty perceived by the patient for activities that involve peripheral vision, which is the most affected in patients with glaucoma.

Keywords:
Glaucoma; Latanoprost; Trabeculectomy; Quality of life