Review of recent publications of the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study

This review summarizes and evaluates the published reports of the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) in the years 2001 and 2002. AGIS evaluated two treatment sequences in medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma. Notable initial findings of AGIS included the presence of a race-treatment interaction for the treatment sequences of argon laser trabeculoplasty and trabeculectomy, and that lower intraocular pressures were associated with a reduced progression of visual field damage.

More recent findings of AGIS include (1). confirmation and quantification of an increased risk of cataract formation following trabeculectomy; (2). identification of risk factors for failure of argon laser trabeculoplasty and trabeculectomy, and the impact of complications on the success of these treatments; and (3). further delineation of a differential response to surgical treatment between black and white patients.

AGIS publications in 2001 and 2002 provide new information regarding the complications and outcomes of surgically treated open-angle glaucoma.