title: Argon laser trabeculoplasty in progressive low-tension glaucoma.
abstract: Twenty-two phakic eyes with progressive low-tension glaucoma had a 360-degree argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT). Seven of these eyes had diurnal curves performed pre- and two months postlaser treatment to measure the effect of ALT on diurnal pressure variation. Sixteen of the 22 eyes (73%) were clinical successes with a 4.9 mm Hg decrease at 12 months in the successful group. However there was a decreasing pressure lowering effect with time with a mean follow-up of 21.6 months. The diurnal curve data showed a 6.2 mm Hg decrease between the mean pressure pretreatment and two months postlaser treatment. The mean peak pressure posttreatment was 13.29 mm Hg, a 6.17 mm Hg decrease from the prelaser mean peak pressure. The finding of 24-hour pressure control and a reduction in the mean peak pressure confirms the usefulness of ALT in progressive low-tension glaucoma and we recommend that it be utilized as the step in between maximally tolerated medical therapy and filtering surgery.
mesh_terms: D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000601:surgery*