The introduction of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) provided a new choice for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes with open angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). SLT was demonstrated equally as effective as topical medical therapy and argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) to lower IOP. It is a potentially repeatable procedure because of the lack of coagulation damage to the trabecular meshwork (TM) and also effect in patients with previously failed ALT. SLT can be used to treat patients with OAG, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, OHT, juvenile glaucoma, pseudophakic and aphakic glaucoma. Furthermore, SLT can be considered as a primary treatment option in patients who cannot tolerate or are noncompliant with medications, while not interfering with the success of future surgery. Its safety profiles include mild and transient inflammation, ocular pain and a small risk of moderate IOP elevations after the procedure. SLT is a safe and effective means of IOP reduction in eyes with OAG and OHT.