Trabecular precipitates and elevated intraocular pressure following argon laser trabeculoplasty

Two patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma underwent argon laser trabeculoplasty for control of intraocular pressure. Within 1 month both patients developed elevated intraocular pressure associated with many large inflammatory precipitates on the trabecular meshwork detected only by gonioscopy. Treatment with topical steroids for 7 to 10 days resolved these precipitates and lowered the intraocular pressure. We believe our patients had severe trabeculitis occurring as a late reaction to argon laser trabeculoplasty. An increase in intraocular pressure following trabeculoplasty warrants careful gonioscopic examination; in fact we recommend routine gonioscopy for all patients after laser treatment.