Neodymium: YAG laser iridotomies--short-term comparison with capsulotomies and long-term follow-up.
This study addresses three aspects of anterior segment Nd:YAG laser treatment--acute endothelial damage, as assessed by endothelial specular photomicrography (ESP), acute and long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) changes, and long-term iridotomy patency. The acute ESP and IOP changes in 26 eyes (21 patients) after Nd:YAG laser iridotomies were compared to 39 eyes (37 patients) after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. Similar endothelial damage occurred in both groups, although less damage was noted in the group of 9 eyes in which capsulotomies were undertaken in the presence of an intraocular lens. In a parallel study 53 eyes (44 patients) were followed for a mean of 83 weeks (19 months) from the time of Nd:YAG iridotomy. There were no late closures and no late rises in IOP. The level of acute IOP rise after treatment did not predict long-term IOP. We conclude that Nd:YAG iridotomy is an effective procedure in the long-term, and that both iridotomy and capsulotomy are accompanied by noteworthy acute endothelial changes and intraocular pressure rises.
Canning
C R
CR
Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, England.
Capon
M R
MR
Sherrard
E S
ES
Kerr Muir
M G
MG
Pearson
R
R
Cooling
R J
RJ
D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D004727:Endothelium / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007498:Iris / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery*; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications