Argon laser trabeculoplasty for open angle glaucoma. A retrospective study of 380 eyes.
Three hundred and eighty eyes of 300 patients which were treated with argon laser trabeculoplasty for medically uncontrolled open angle glaucoma were studied retrospectively. Among the 334 eyes having at least six weeks follow up, the mean overall pressure drop was 8.1 mm Hg. In 19.2 per cent of eyes, pressure was inadequately controlled by laser treatment and subsequent glaucoma surgery was required. Phakic primary chronic open angle glaucoma (COAG), aphakic COAG, pseudoexfoliation, pigmentary, and low tension glaucoma eyes all had a significant drop in pressure. Eyes with juvenile glaucoma or inflammatory glaucoma had a much poorer response in terms of mean pressure drop and number requiring later operation. There was no statistically significant difference in response between aphakic and phakic coag eyes, between pseudoexfoliation and phakic COAG eyes, or between eyes treated over the full 360 degrees and eyes treated over half the angle with treatment over the second half later if needed. A higher initial pressure usually resulted in a greater lowering of pressure. Medication was reduced after treatment in 28.7 per cent of eyes. The data suggest that the effect of laser trabeculoplasty generally persists for at least one year. Complications were few, the most serious being elevated intraocular pressure, which rose 10 mm Hg or more in 2.1 per cent of all eyes.
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000601:surgery*