[Treatment of narrow- or closed-angle glaucoma using combined argon and Nd-YAG laser photocoagulation]

Combined laser technique was applied on 38 eyes with closed-angle glaucoma. In the first act circular argon laser iridoplasty was performed, followed by peripheral Nd-YAG iridotomy. First, intraocular pressure was decreased by anti-glaucoma medicament therapy to 30 mmHg or less. Then, circular argon laser iridoplasty was performed on the peripheral third of the total circumference of the iris (cca 20 spots). Eight days later, Nd-YAG laser iridotomy was performed at the location where previously a spot was made with argon laser. Postoperative intraocular pressure was normal in 84.2% at the last control examination and the anti-glaucoma medicament treatment was significantly reduced. In a smaller number of cases this treatment was cancelled all together. In 6 eyes (15.8%) laser treatment was not successful and anti-glaucoma surgery had to be performed subsequently. The observation period lasted from 3 to 15 months.