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Glaucoma – SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty)

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Glaucoma – SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) Dr. Anthony O. Roberts 9715 Medical Center Drive Suite 502 Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Rockville, MD 20850 Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a laser surgical procedure used to help lower in- Phone: 301-279-0600 traocular pressure (IOP) of patients with open-angle glaucoma. SLT is used to treat the E-mail: [email protected] eye’s drainage system, known as the trabecular meshwork—the mesh-like drainage ca- nals that surround the iris. Treating this area of the eye’s natural drainage system improves the flow of fluid out of the eye, helping to lower the pressure. Eye Care Services The laser used in SLT works at very low levels. It treats specific cells selectively, leaving untreated portions of the trabecular meshwork intact. For this reason, SLT, unlike other Eye Exams types of laser surgery, may be safely repeated many times. Glaucoma Testing & Treatment SLT is typically performed in the ophthalmologist’s (Eye M.D.’s) office or an outpatient Cataract Surgery surgery center. The procedure usually takes about five to ten minutes. First, anesthetic drops are placed in your eye. The laser machine looks similar to the examination micro- Diabetic Evaluation scope that your ophthalmologist uses to look at your eyes at each office visit. LASIK Eye Surgery PRK Surgery You will experience a flash of light with each laser application. Most people are comfort- Refractive Procedures able and do not experience any significant pain during the surgery, although some may feel a little pressure in the eye during the procedure. Our Practice Most people will need to have their pressure checked after the laser treatment, since there is At Shady Grove Ophthal- a risk of increasing IOP after the procedure. If this does occur, you may require medica- mology, we understand the tions to lower the pressure, which will be administered in the office. Rarely, the pressure in importance of your vision. the eye increases to a high level and does not come down. If this happens, you may require We are committed to offering a surgery in the operating room to lower the pressure. the highest quality eye care using the most state-of-the- Most people notice some blurring of their vision after the laser treatment. This typically art technologies. Dr. An- clears within a few hours. The chance of your vision becoming permanently affected from thony Roberts delivers pre- this laser procedure is very small. mium quality eye care and provides the most personal- ized, individualized care to Most patients can resume normal daily activities the day after laser surgery. You may need his patients. to use eyedrops after the procedure to help the eye heal properly. Risks associated with SLT include: increased pressure in the eye, pos- sibly requiring medication or sur- gery; inflammation in the eye; bleeding; damage to the cornea, iris, or ret- ina from the laser light; Schedule an Exam failure to adequately lower the eye pressure; and Call our office to schedule an need for repeat laser surgery. appointment or consultation. Official Ophthalmologist for the Washington Redskins 301-279-0600 Visit us on the web at www.ShadyGroveOphthalmology.com Dr. Anthony O. Roberts 9715 Medical Center Drive Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (cont’d) Suite 502 Rockville, MD 20850 It will take several weeks to determine how much SLT will lower your eye pressure. You Phone: 301-279-0600 may require additional laser or glaucoma drainage surgery to lower the pressure if it is not E-mail: [email protected] sufficiently lower after the first laser treatment. Most patients must continue to take medication in order to control and maintain their IOP; Eye Care Services however, surgery can lessen the amount of medication needed. Eye Exams While some people may experience side effects from medications or surgery, the risks as- sociated with these side effects should be balanced against the greater risk of leaving glau- Glaucoma Testing & coma untreated and losing your vision. Treatment Cataract Surgery Diabetic Evaluation LASIK Eye Surgery PRK Surgery Refractive Procedures Our Practice At Shady Grove Ophthal- mology, we understand the importance of your vision. We are committed to offering the highest quality eye care using the most state-of-the- art technologies. Dr. An- thony Roberts delivers pre- mium quality eye care and provides the most personal- ized, individualized care to his patients. Schedule an Exam Call our office to schedule an appointment or consultation. Official Ophthalmologist for the Washington Redskins 301-279-0600 Visit us on the web at www.ShadyGroveOphthalmology.com .
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