Modern Glaucoma Care With Noncontact DSLT
Glaucoma treatment is no longer limited to daily prescription eye drops. At our locations in Stuart, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, and Port St. Lucie, patients can receive personalized glaucoma care and may have access to Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, or DSLT. This modern laser treatment can help lower eye pressure without requiring incisions or contact with the surface of the eye.
Glaucoma Can Develop Silently
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Increased pressure inside the eye is a major risk factor for this damage. However, glaucoma can also occur in patients whose eye pressure falls within a typical range.
The disease often develops without pain or noticeable symptoms. Peripheral vision may gradually decline, but many patients do not recognize the change until permanent damage has occurred. Comprehensive eye exams and glaucoma testing are essential for detecting the condition early.
Once glaucoma is diagnosed, regular monitoring helps your ophthalmologist determine whether treatment is controlling your eye pressure and protecting the optic nerve.
Treatment Does Not Always Begin With Eye Drops
Prescription eye drops remain an important glaucoma treatment. However, patients must remember to use them correctly and consistently for the medication to work as intended.
Some patients have difficulty placing drops in their eyes, experience side effects, or struggle with complicated medication schedules. Others may need several prescriptions to reach their target eye pressure.
For eligible patients, laser treatment may be considered before eye drops or used alongside medication. DSLT provides a noncontact option that does not depend on a daily treatment routine.
How Does DSLT Work?
Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty uses automated laser energy to improve the eye’s natural drainage system. When fluid drains more effectively, pressure inside the eye may decrease.
Traditional Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty requires the ophthalmologist to place a specialized lens on the eye and manually direct the laser toward the drainage tissue. DSLT uses advanced imaging and eye tracking technology to identify the treatment area. It then delivers laser energy through the limbus, where the cornea and the white portion of the eye meet.
Because the system does not require a lens to touch the eye, DSLT can provide a more streamlined treatment experience.
Potential Advantages of DSLT
For appropriate patients, DSLT may provide several benefits:
- No incisions or stitches
- No contact with the eye’s surface
- Automated and precise laser delivery
- A brief outpatient treatment
- Minimal interruption to normal activities
- Reduced need for daily glaucoma medication in some cases
DSLT may be considered for certain patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. However, not everyone is a candidate, and some patients may still require prescription medication after treatment.
Other Options for Managing Glaucoma
DSLT is one part of a comprehensive approach to glaucoma care. Depending on the type and severity of the disease, treatment may also include prescription eye drops, Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, traditional glaucoma surgery, or a combination of options.
MIGS procedures may be considered for eligible patients who are undergoing cataract surgery. These procedures generally use small incisions to improve fluid drainage or reduce fluid production. Patients who need greater pressure reduction may require another surgical approach.
Finding the Right Treatment
Your ophthalmologist will evaluate your eye pressure, drainage system, optic nerve, peripheral vision, treatment history, and overall eye health. This information helps determine whether DSLT or another glaucoma treatment may be appropriate.
Early detection and proactive treatment can help protect your optic nerve before additional vision is lost. Call us today to book your exam.
