Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) complicated by intraocular pressure elevation in eyes with heavily pigmented trabecular meshworks

PURPOSE: To report and assess the complication of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevations after selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in patients with heavily pigmented trabecular meshworks. DESIGN: Noncomparative, observational case series. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the medical files of four glaucoma patients with heavily pigmented trabecular meshwork, who presented with IOP elevations after SLT. RESULTS: All four glaucoma patients presented with post-SLT IOP elevations. Three had features of pigmentary dispersion syndrome, and the fourth had a heavily pigmented trabecular meshwork. Two patients had previous argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in the same eye in which SLT was performed, and one had a previous ocular trauma. Eventually, three of the patients required surgical trabeculectomy. CONCLUSIONS: This case series suggests that post-SLT IOP elevations can be a serious adverse event in some glaucomatous patients. It is recommended by the authors that patients with a deeply pigmented trabecular meshwork, taking multiple topical medications and having previous ALT treatment, should be considered at higher risk for this complication.