[Role of argon laser trabeculoplasty in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma: a 7-year retrospective experience].

We present a retrospective study of 534 Argon laser trabeculoplasty which we realized from January 1983 to July 1990 on 356 primary open-angle glaucoma and secondary open-angle glaucoma patients. Follow-up is ranging from 3 months to 7 years. Photocoagulation was limited to 180 degrees trabecular surface in 300 cases and were completed to 360 degrees in the 234 other eyes. We observed an overall cumulated success rate of 87% at 6 months, which decreased slowly further to reach 32.6% at 6 years. Before laser, the mean intra-ocular pressure was 25 mmHg, this value decreased "a maxima" after 18 months (6.3 mmHg) and slowly increased afterwards but was still significant at 6 years. Some parameters may be of better prognosis: an age equal or older than 65 years, pigmentary dispersion syndrome and pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma. Laser trabeculoplasty associated with hypotensive drugs are an efficient and innocuous technic for controlling open-angle glaucoma; however, after a 30 months mean period, we observe a decrease of their efficiency.