Abstract
In 93 phakic eyes – 52 eyes with primary open-angle and 41 eyes with exfoliation glaucoma – with increased intraocular pressure, argon laser trabeculoplasty was performed. Fifty to sixty burns were made over 180° of the lower trabecular meshwork. During the follow-up period, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, medication changes and the need for surgery were studied. In 25 eyes a second laser treatment was performed over 180° of the upper trabecular meshwork. Intraocular pressure control was obtained in 81 % of the eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma and 71% of the eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. The average reduction of pressure obtained after laser trabeculoplasty was 9.22 mm Hg for the group of eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma and 13.42 mm Hg for the group of eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (p < 0.001). Reduction in medical treatment was obtained in 27 eyes from the 71 eyes with successful reduction of the intraocular pressure. In 6 eyes with successful results after argon laser trabeculoplasty, cataract extraction was performed. The intraocular pressure remained normal in all eyes after the operation.