Combined argon and Nd: YAG laser peripheral iridectomy: A new approach in clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic effect of combined argon and Nd: YAG laser peripheral iridectomy.


METHODS
151 cases (200 eyes) of primary angle-closure glaucoma and combined glaucoma were treated by combined procedure. Argon laser was the first used to create partial iridectomy in 2/3-3/4 thickness without penetrating pigmented epithelium, and then Nd: YAG laser was required to complete a patent iridectomy.


RESULTS
A successful iridectomy was achieved in all patients independent of any type of irides (100%). Iris penetration rate in one session presented in 95.0%. Complications appeared to be less common in our patients: iris bleeding was only seen in 5.0% cases; the postoperative inflammation was mild; corneal burns, localized lenticular opacities and closure of iridectomies were less frequent. The follow-up ranged from 3m to 6.5 years. The success rate in controlling IOP with/without medications were 99.0% except 2 eye failure. No attack occurred in 129 eyes with prophylactic laser therapy during the periods of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined procedure had much more advantage over either the argon or Nd: YAG laser iridectomy. It tended to be more preferable for Asian patients with heavily pigmented and thick irides.
Zhang
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X
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medica Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
Peng
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007498:Iris / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged