Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Versus Pattern Scanning Laser Trabeculoplasty for Reducing Intraocular Pressure in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) significantly lowers the intraocular pressure (IOP) in open-angle glaucoma patients compared to pattern scanning laser trabeculoplasty (PSLT). This review contains results from randomized control trials and a retrospective database analysis obtained through PubMed and Google Scholar. PubMed searches used the following words and terms: "selective laser trabeculoplasty" AND "pattern scanning trabeculoplasty." A similar search on Google Scholar eventually uncovered one additional study comparing the two trabeculoplasty methods. All studies included patients diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension. SLT has not consistently shown superiority over PSLT in managing POAG. PSLT may result in slightly greater short-term reductions in IOP. Patients often report less discomfort with this method, suggesting it may be more tolerable. Both treatments can lead to meaningful reductions in IOP from baseline, which is generally considered a positive treatment outcome. SLT and PSLT were shown to exert the same efficacy. In terms of treatment, both procedures are efficient and beneficial for lowering IOP. PSLT was favored to be more tolerable in one of the studies. Further research is required to observe potential side effects, long-term treatment, and mechanisms of action of both lasers.