Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a type of laser surgery that is used to decrease the intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients. SLT is used when eye drop medications are not successful in lowering the IOP and are causing significant side effects. SLT can also be used as an initial glaucoma treatment.

SLT has been in use in the United States and around the world for more than 15 years. Ideal candidates for SLT are patients who have open-angle glaucoma and are in need of lowering of their IOP. The procedure works by applying laser energy directly to the eye’s drainage tissue.  The energy from the laser starts a chemical and biological change in the tissue that results in an increase in fluid drainage through the drain and out of the eye–thus resulting in a lower IOP.  In fact, when SLT is used as an initial treatment, IOP can be reduced by as much as 30%.

One of the greatest benefits to SLT and the laser that’s used is that minimal heat energy is used during the procedure and only selected pigmented tissue in the eye absorbs the laser’s energy. This leads to less scar tissue in the affected area–and typically means minimal pain.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

Meet Dr. Ahluwalia

Mary Anne Ahluwalia, D.O. is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist at Triad Eye Institute.

Dr. Ahluwalia performs comprehensive eye exams along with medical and surgical treatments for glaucoma, including microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), trabeculectomy and the implantation of glaucoma drainage devices.

Dr. Ahluwalia is a member of the American Glaucoma Society and American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Ahluwalia is an active member of Leadership Tulsa and currently serves as a board member for the Autism Center of Tulsa and Tulsa Advocates for Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (TARC).