■ Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) treatment for open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT) provides better long-term disease control than initial drop therapy, with reduced need for incisional glaucoma and cataract surgery over 6 years, investigators reported in Ophthalmology. Three-year LiGHT trial results previously revealed SLT to be clinically and cost-effective as a primary treatment for OAG and OHT. The current data reports health-related quality of life (HRQL) and clinical effectiveness of initial treatment with SLT compared to IOP-lowering eye drops after 6 years. After the initial 3 years of the trial, patients in the SLT arm were permitted a third SLT if necessary; patients in the drops arm were allowed SLT as a treatment switch or escalation.

“SLT safely offers IOP control without the need for medical or surgical treatment in more than 70% of OHT and OAG eyes, whilst demonstrating reduced progression rates and a reduced need for glaucoma and cataract surgery,” the authors concluded. “SLT is now the recommended first-line treatment for OAG and OHT in the UK and is listed as a first-line treatment in the EU and the US, alongside IOP-lowering eye drops.”