Pressure increase following primary laser trabeculoplasty. Effect on the visual field.

Possible damaging effects on the visual field of postlaser pressure elevations the first 24 h following primary laser trabeculoplasty were investigated in 61 patients with exfoliative or open-angle glaucoma. The intraocular pressure was monitored the first 24 h after treatment. Treatment with pressure reducing agents was started if the intraocular pressure was > or = 50 mmHg. The visual field was plotted before and 1, 3, and 6 months after laser treatment with the C-30-2 program on a Humphrey visual field analyzer. Peak pressures > or = 50 mmHg occurred with 15 (25%) patients. There was no relationship between visual field changes at 1 month and pressure increase, peak pressure, prelaser pressure, prelaser visual field indices, the use of timolol postlaser, or the pressure decrease or pressure level 1 month after laser treatment. From 1 to 6 months after laser trabeculoplasty the visual field parameters remained stable. Postlaser pressure spikes do not seem to damage the visual field providing they are detected and treated.