Laser trabeculoplasty as primary therapy in chronic open angle glaucoma.

Sixty-three phakic eyes of 54 patients with early simple (21 eyes) or capsular (42 eyes) glaucoma treated with laser trabeculoplasty (LTP) as the primary therapy were followed retrospectively 12 to 18 months after LTP. In 59 of 63 eyes followed up for 12 months and 46 of 52 eyes followed up for 18 months the intraocular pressure (IOP) was constantly maintained below 22 mmHg with no medication. After a good initial response for 6 to 12 months, 6 eyes required medical therapy because of uncontrolled pressure or progression in the damage of the optic disc or visual fields. The mean pressure reduction of all eyes 18 months after LTP was 28% in simple and 37% in capsular glaucoma. No severe complications were seen. LTP seems to be an effective and safe procedure as the primary therapy for open angle glaucoma.