Efficacy of argon laser trabeculoplasty in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the efficacy of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in patients with aphakia or pseudophakia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The authors retrospectively analyzed 63 eyes of 63 patients with aphakia or pseudophakia who had uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma and were treated with 180 degrees or 360 degrees ALT.

RESULTS

The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) before ALT was 25.1 mm Hg (+/- 8.1 mm Hg). Two years after ALT, the mean IOP in the successfully treated group was 15.4 mm Hg. The mean survival time (50% success rate) for all treated eyes was 23 months, and treatment was successful in 34% of eyes at 36 months. Pseudophakic eyes had a better response than aphakic eyes (P = .06), and eyes that had extracapsular surgery did better than eyes with intracapsular surgery (P = .07).

CONCLUSION

ALT in aphakic or pseudophakic eyes with uncontrolled glaucoma is a safe, reasonably effective treatment that can delay the need for trabeculectomy.