Long-term results of low power, long duration laser trabeculoplasty

We performed argon laser trabeculoplasty using 0.2-second duration on 15 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. We then retrospectively compared the results to a similar group of 14 patients on whom a duration of 0.1 second was used. Power was titrated to achieve blanching or small bubble formation. All the other treatment variables were kept constant. Before treatment, the two groups did not differ in mean age, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, or number of drugs. After treatment, there was a 7 to 8 mm Hg decrease in intraocular pressure for both groups over a two-year follow-up period. No statistically significant difference between the two groups was observed for intraocular pressure, visual acuity, or drug score at the various follow-up periods. No patient required subsequent filtering surgery.