{"id":91596459948,"date":"2025-11-18T07:05:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T06:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.augenarzt-banyai.de\/blog\/general\/slt-as-first-line-treatment-new-evidence-for-2025-clearly-explained-by-dr-banyai\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T09:37:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T07:37:57","slug":"slt-as-first-line-treatment-new-evidence-for-2025-clearly-explained-by-dr-banyai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.augenarzt-banyai.de\/en\/blog\/glaucoma\/slt-as-first-line-treatment-new-evidence-for-2025-clearly-explained-by-dr-banyai\/","title":{"rendered":"SLT as first-line treatment? New evidence for 2025, clearly explained by Dr B\u00e1nyai"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) has been recognised for years as a complementary treatment for glaucoma<\/a> \u2013 but new studies show that it can also be used as a first-line treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, international specialist societies published updated guidelines that open up new prospects for patients with glaucoma. In this article, as an ophthalmologist, I explain the key findings and what this means in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read more about glaucoma<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is SLT and how does it work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SLT is a minimally invasive laser procedure that specifically stimulates pigment cells in the trabecular meshwork (part of the anterior chamber angle and the main drainage pathway for the eye\u2019s aqueous humour) \u2013 without damaging surrounding tissue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This improves the drainage of aqueous humour, thereby reducing intraocular pressure<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The treatment takes just a few minutes, is carried out on an outpatient basis and is painless. Anaesthesia is not usually required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SLT differs from older laser therapies in that it acts selectively on pigmented cells only. This means: no thermal damage, no scarring and good repeatability if required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The procedure uses extremely short laser pulses in the nanosecond range \u2013 precise and gentle at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At B\u00e1nyai Augenheilkunde, we have been using SLT successfully for many years \u2013 particularly for patients who cannot tolerate eye drops or as a complement to drug therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Glaucoma surgery \u2013 find out more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

SLT \u2013 What\u2019s new in 2025?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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An international long-term study involving over 1,000 participants shows that SLT can be just as effective \u2013 and in some cases even more effective \u2013 than traditional eye drop therapy when open-angle glaucoma is first diagnosed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, SLT is associated with fewer side effects, in particular no irritation caused by preservatives. The key findings:<\/p>\n\n\n

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