Laser application to the angle structures in rabbits, cats, and in human glaucomatous eyes.

Argon laser lesions were induced to the structures of the anterior chamber angle in rabbits and cats and in a pre-enucleated infant's eye. Histopathological changes at different follow-up periods were analyzed. The argon laser beam was also applied to 28 uncontrolled glaucomatous eyes. Twenty-five eyes responded by an abrupt hypotensive effect, but in 21 of them, elevated pressure recurred after 20 to 40 days. Eight eyes maintained low intraocular pressure throughout the 12 to 20 month follow-up period. Of these, 3 were eyes of babies with congenital glaucoma, and 3 had simple glaucoma following an unsuccessful filtering operation. Seven eyes were medically controlled postoperatively and 13 eyes were failures which had to undergo further surgery.