title: Argon laser pretreatment 4 to 6 weeks before Nd:YAG laser iridotomy.
abstract: Argon laser pretreatment followed by Nd:YAG laser iridotomy 4 to 6 weeks later was performed in the right eye of 10 patients. Primary Nd:YAG laser iridotomy was performed in the left eye. Significantly more Nd:YAG laser energy was needed to produce an iridotomy in pretreated eyes (P less than .001). Pretreated eyes developed a significantly larger pigment epithelium defect around the iridotomy site and a greater degree of pigmentation of the inferior part of the trabecular meshwork 6 months following treatment. Argon laser pretreatment followed by Nd:YAG laser iridotomy 4 to 6 weeks later appears to offer no advantages over primary Nd:YAG laser iridotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland.
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Fleck
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGlynn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000601:surgery*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007498:Iris / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome