Laser therapy for open angle glaucoma.

Fort-five phakic eyes with open angle glaucoma received argon laser therapy to the trabecular meshwork (laser goniotherapy). The average IOP dropped from 27.5 to 20.3 mm Hg in 22 eyes that were followed up for seven to fourteen months. Tonographic data obtained from 13 eyes prior to and approximately one month after laser treatment demonstrated a 50% increase in the facility of aqueous outflow. Several eyes experienced hypertensive episodes following treatment, in which the IOP increased as high as 60 mm Hg on one occasion. Two eyes developed prolonged uveitis with peripheral anterior synechiae formation. Laser goniotherapy appears to be a beneficial mode of therapy for open angle glaucoma in many patients. Longer follow-up is needed, however, and its role in secondary and aphakic glaucomas needs to be defined.