There are different chambers within the eye and under normal circumstances there is free flow of fluid through these chambers and around the eye. In order for fluid that is formed within the anterior (front) chamber of the eye to flow out of...

the eye, it must pass through an area called the trabecular meshwork area. In certain forms of glaucoma, this normal flow of fluid does not occur properly. This state leads to an accumulation of fluid within the eye and an increase in intraocular pressure (pressure within the eye). One method to treat or prevent this from occurring is to destroy some of the trabecular meshwork and improve the outward flow of fluid.

 

Selective laser trabeculoplasty or SLT is used to treat patients that have abnormally high intraocular pressure by selectively targeting certain cells within the trabecular meshwork. These melanin-containing cells are particularly sensitive to the wavelength and energy of the laser used. While the entire mechanism of action is unclear, these laser-stimulated cells release cytokines which attract other cell types that then destroy cells within the trabecular meshwork. The surrounding tissue is not heated as it is in many other forms of laser eye surgery, like argon laser trabeculoplasty. The result is relatively gentle opening of the natural drainage of the eye chambers.

 

Selective laser trabeculoplasty has been used to treat glaucoma, intraocular hypertension and other situations in which pressure in the eye is too high, such as after certain retinal treatments.