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Abstract #25620 Published in IGR 12-1
Efficiency of argon laser trabeculoplasty in open angle glaucoma therapy
Sreckovic S; Petrovic NSerbian Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research 2009; 10: 27-31
Introduction. Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is a method for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) that involves applying a laser to the area of the trabecular meshwork of the chamber angle in patients with open angle glaucoma. Aims. To evaluate the efficiency and safety of ALT in open angle glaucoma therapy. Material and method. A prospective examination of 84 eyes from 49 patients who were primarily treated with medications but did not achieve sufficient control of their IOP. Prior to ALT, a detailed ophthalmology check had been performed. After the treatment, follow-up visits were scheduled at 24 hours, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 4 years. The success of the treatment was defined by IOP(less-than or equal to)21 mmHg, with no further progression of disc or visual field changes. Results. The average value of IOP before ALT was 25.28 (plus or minus) 1.56 mmHg. After 24 hours, 19 eyes (23.5%) had a transitory rise in the IOP of < 4 mmHg. One month after the treatment the average IOP was 19.68 (plus or minus) 2.26 mmHg, and 3 months later it was 18.01 (plus or minus) 1.87 mmHg. At 6 months it was 17.4 (plus or minus) 1.65 mmHg, at 1 year 17.96 (plus or minus) 2.44 mmHg, at 2 years 18.22 (plus or minus)2.65 mmHg and at 4 years 18.49 (plus or minus) 2.95 mmHg. The target pressure of (less-than or equal to) 21 mmHg was achieved after 1 month in 77.8% of the patients, after 3 months in 93.8%, after 6 months in 93.8%, after 1 year in 80.2%, after 2 years in 75.3% and after 4 years in 66.7%. Two years after the treatment, a filtering surgery was performed in one case (1.2%), due to an unreduced IOP . At the end of the fourth year after the intervention, the number of examined eyes was 73, and a filtering surgery was performed for the unreduced IOP on 8 eyes (9.9%). The average reduction in IOP one year after the intervention was 7.32 (plus or minus) 2.84 mmHg, after 2 years 7.16 (plus or minus) 2.98 mmHg, and after 4 years 6.84 (plus or minus) 3.33 mmHg (p<0.01). Conclusion. ALT is a safe and efficient method for IOP reduction in patients with open angle glaucoma, which can postpone filtering surgery to a great extent.
S. Sreckovic. Clinic of Eye Diseases, Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Zmaj Jovina 30, 34000 Kragujevac. sunshinekg@sbb.co.yu
Classification:
12.4 Laser trabeculoplasty and other laser treatment of the angle (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment)
