Private Belkin Direct SLT glaucoma laser in the UK

Belkin Direct SLT is an automated, non-contact selective laser trabeculoplasty that lowers intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Using eye-tracking, the Belkin Vision Eagle device delivers around 120 laser spots through the white of the eye to the drainage meshwork in roughly one second — without the gonioscopy contact lens, numbing gel and surgeon-aimed targeting that conventional SLT requires. It is just as effective as standard SLT, faster and more comfortable, and can be used as a first-line alternative to daily pressure-lowering drops. At our partner clinics it costs from £1,200 per eye.

What is Belkin Direct SLT?

In open-angle glaucoma, the eye's drainage system (the trabecular meshwork) becomes less efficient, so fluid builds up and intraocular pressure rises — gradually damaging the optic nerve. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) uses gentle, low-energy laser pulses to stimulate the meshwork to drain better, lowering pressure without drops or surgery.

Traditional SLT is delivered through a mirrored contact lens that the surgeon holds on the eye, aiming each shot by hand. Belkin Direct SLT re-engineers this: the automated Eagle device images the eye, tracks it, and fires the laser directly through the limbus (the edge of the cornea) to the meshwork — no lens touches the eye. The whole treatment takes about a second per eye and removes the variability of manual aiming.

Who is Direct SLT suitable for?

• Open-angle glaucoma — as a first-line treatment instead of, or alongside, drops
• Ocular hypertension — raised pressure before nerve damage develops
• Patients who struggle with eye drops — side effects, forgetting doses, or difficulty instilling them
• Those wanting to reduce or stop pressure-lowering medication
• People who found conventional contact-lens SLT uncomfortable

How Direct SLT compares

Laser, drops and minimally invasive surgery each have a role in glaucoma. Your consultant will explain where Direct SLT fits in your treatment plan.

For a fuller comparison of all approaches, read our guide to drops vs SLT vs MIGS surgery, or explore the Preserflo MicroShunt for advanced glaucoma.

What happens during treatment

Direct SLT is an outpatient procedure performed at the slit lamp. It is painless and you go home straight afterwards.

1. Numbing drops are placed in the eye (no gel or contact lens is needed).
2. You rest your chin on the device and the eye-tracking system locates and locks onto your drainage angle.
3. The laser delivers around 120 low-energy spots directly through the limbus in approximately one second.
4. A pressure check is performed shortly afterwards and you are given anti-inflammatory drops if required.
5. You leave the clinic able to drive and resume normal activities the same day.

Recovery & results

There is essentially no downtime. The pressure-lowering effect builds gradually over the following weeks.

Cost & insurance

Belkin Direct SLT pricing is all-inclusive: your consultant glaucoma assessment, pressure and optic-nerve checks, the laser treatment itself, and your post-laser review.

• Self-pay: from £1,200 per eye.
• Insurance: SLT for glaucoma is recognised by major insurers — we handle authorisation.
• Finance: 0% options available.

See related options on our glaucoma prices page, the full glaucoma treatment overview, or learn about the condition at glaucoma explained.

Frequently asked questions