[Argon laser trabeculoplasty--5 years' experience]

In group of 202 eyes in 125 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with an observation period from 12 to 66 months (32.6 z 4.8 months) the effectiveness of ALT was analyzed in relation to the time factor. The reduction of the intraocular pressure was statistically significant and treatment was successful when the intraocular pressure was reduced beneath 2.66 kPa (20 mm Hg) in 64.4%. Changes of the visual field developed in 23.3% and the efflux rate increased by 28.6%. The authors compared also the effectiveness of two methods, 180 degrees ALT 1.0 W and 180 degrees ALT 0.5 W which did not differ significantly.