Bilateral argon laser trabeculoplasty in primary open-angle glaucoma.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Laser Therapy

Background:

• Open-angle glaucoma often requires continuous management to control intraocular pressure (IOP).
• Medically uncontrolled cases necessitate alternative or adjunctive treatment strategies.
• Bilateral treatment approaches are explored for comprehensive glaucoma management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and long-term IOP-lowering effects of bilateral argon laser trabeculoplasty.
• To assess the correlation of IOP response between the two eyes following sequential laser treatment.
• To determine the sustained IOP reduction over three years post-treatment.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-four patients with medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma underwent bilateral 360-degree argon laser trabeculoplasty within three months.
• Preoperative IOP was consistently above 21 mm Hg with minimal inter-eye difference.
• IOP was monitored at baseline, one hour, and one, two, and three years post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Mean baseline IOP was comparable between first and second treated eyes (26.9 ± 3.7 vs. 26.5 ± 3.3 mm Hg).
• A transient IOP increase (>30%) occurred in 4 eyes per group one hour post-treatment, with high inter-eye correlation (r = .794).
• Significant IOP reduction (P < .0001) was observed at one, two, and three years in both eyes, with strong inter-eye correlation at all time points (r = .815 to .886).

Conclusions:

• Bilateral argon laser trabeculoplasty is an effective treatment for medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma.
• The IOP response between the two eyes is highly correlated, suggesting predictable outcomes.
• Sustained IOP reduction and similar efficacy were observed in both sequentially treated eyes over three years.