Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty SLT - Now Offered in Sherman, Texas

Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by the failure of the eye to properly drain eye fluids, causing a gradual narrowing of the field of vision until patients feel like they have only a narrow "tunnel" of sight remaining. This eye disease is very serious and, left untreated, often results in blindness.

Glaucoma generally takes one of two forms: "open angle" or chronic glaucoma and "closed angle" or actute glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, affects about 3 million Americans.

The doctors of RGB Eye Associates are very excited to share with their patients a new and very effective technology for treating open angle glaucoma. Called SLT or Selective Laser Trabeculoplastym this glaucoma treatment is a type of laser surgery that is quickly becoming the preferred treatment for glaucoma nationwide.

Until recently, northest Texas and southeast Oklahoma residents had to go to Dallas or other large cities for these kinds of cutting edge eye treatments; but now SLT is available at RGB's Sherman, Texas ophthalmology office, conveniently located and easily accessible to Texoma residents.

SLT Technology

Before SLT's advanced laser technique was developed, treatment for open angle glaucoma including burning eye tissue with a laser that wasn't as "selective" or as focused as SLT. SLT is a far more gentle way to irradiate the eye. Unlike the older ALT approach, SLT doesn't damage or scar surrounding tissue. Another advantage to SLT laser technology for open angle glaucoma is that the treatment can sometimes be repeated if necessary. Initially used as a treatment option for glaucoma patients who failed to successfully control their glaucoma with eye drops, SLT has become the first choice treatment of glaucoma for many ophthalmologists and patients.

How It Works

SLT selectively targets certain cells in the meshwork (called the trabecular meshwork) that drains eye fluids, which is how fluid pressure in the eye is regulated, and uses laser beams to "unclog" the drains. By treating this drainage area with a combination of low frequency lasers, eye fluid drainage is increased without burning any surrounding tissues, which was a risk with older laser technologies. SLT is usually performed in the office and only takes about 15-20 minutes, though two hours should be set aside from start to finish.

The Advantages of SLT

SLT produces great results, which is why RGB's eye doctors are so happy to be able to offer SLT to glaucoma sufferers in Sherman, Ada, and Ardmore and other residents of northeast Texas and southeast Okalahoma without patients having to travel outside the Texoma region. The many benefits of SLT eye treatment includes:

Immediately improved eye fluid drainage, thus reducing intraocular pressure (IOP)
No burning or scarring of surrounding eye tissue
No need for glaucoma medications and eye drops, which can be costly for patients and may have adverse side effects
SLT can be repeated over time if needed.
SLT is an excellent alternative for patients whose glaucoma was not successfully managed with eye drops, other medications or traditional laser surgery
The procedure is quick and usually painless. SLT requires no needles, no cutting, and no stitches. From beginning to end, the office visit takes about two hours, with the SLT procedure usually taking between 15-20 minutes.
The procedure is usually covered by insurance companies and Medicare, but be sure to check with your own carrier.
Safe for those with diabetes, high blood pressure and poor circulation.
One treatment may last for up to five years.

Safety

SLT uses FDA-approved laser technology to treat glaucoma. Although RGB Eye Associates of Texas is committed to making the latest eye procedures and glaucoma treatments available to residents of the Sherman, Ardmore, Ada area, and to glaucoma sufferers throughout north Texas and southern Okalahoma, patient safety remains our first priority. Thousands of SLT procedures have been safely and successfully performed in America with great results, and this technology has been available in Europe for many years.

This makes RGB very pleased to be able to offer SLT glaucoma treatment at our Sherman Texas office with the utmost confidence in one of the most exciting advancements in glaucoma treatment to come along in quite a while. This advanced laser treatment is a safe and nearly miraculous way of preventing blindness caused by glaucoma.

For more information about Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) treatment for glaucoma available at the Sherman, Texas office of RGB Eye Associates, please call us today at 903.892.3282.