A new study found a correlation between the number of hyper-reflective particles in the anterior chamber (AC) after SLT and the procedure’s IOP-lowering effect.

This prospective interventional study included 25 eyes of 25 primary open-angle glaucoma patients. All participants underwent standardized SLT consisting of 100 pulses of 0.9mJ over 360°. A team performed anterior segment OCT and applanation tonometry before SLT and 15 minutes, one day, one week, one month and three months after. They then counted particles on cross-sectional scans.

With a baseline IOP of 21.4±4.5mm Hg, the researchers recorded post-op IOPs at months one and three of 18.0±4.0mm Hg and 17.4±3.3mm Hg, respectively. They noted that the mean numbers of AC particles before and 15 minutes after SLT were 0.62±0.2particles/mm² and 7.1±2.0particles/mm², respectively. The correlation between the mean number of AC particles 15 minutes after SLT and IOP reduction at one and three months was statistically significant, they added.