title: Argon laser trabeculoplasty and the open-angle glaucomas.
abstract: Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) was used to treat 237 eyes of 156 presurgical patients with various open-angle glaucomas. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma formed the largest group; intraocular pressure (IOP) control judged clinically to be adequate was achieved in 77.3% of eyes. Eyes with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma demonstrated the greatest IOP reduction achieving control in 90.7%. Eyes with combined-mechanism glaucoma underwent argon laser iridectomy prior to ALT. One month after ALT the IOP was considered adequate in 70% of eyes. ALT may benefit eyes with low-tension glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma and aphakic open-angle glaucoma. Treatment failures were frequent in eyes with angle recession and uveitis. Complications included IOP elevation (7.8%) and mild iritis; technique modifications minimized their frequency and intensity. ALT demonstrated an excellent benefit-to-risk ratio. Its effect additive to medications, ALT often permitted a reduction in the medical regimen, but rarely cessation of drug therapy. ALT is recommended as an alternative to drainage surgery.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001035:Aphakia / Q000150:complications; D001128:Argon; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000528:radiation effects; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000187:drug effects*; D014605:Uveitis / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D001128:Argon