Laser application to the angle structures in animals and in human glaucomatous eyes

Argon laser lesions were induced in the structures of the anterior chamber angle of rabbits, cats and monkeys and in a pre-enucleated infnat's eye. Histopathological changes produced by this mode of treatment at different follow-up periods were analysed. The argon laser beam has also been applied in 28 selected, uncontrolled glaucomatous eyes. 25 eyes responded by an abrupt hypotensive effect, but in 21 of them, the elevated pressure returned during the 20- to 40-day follow-up period. Eight eyes sustained low intraocular pressure throughout the 12- to 20-month follow-up period. Of these, 3 were babies with congenital glaucoma, and 3 had simple glaucoma following an unsuccessful filtering operation. Seven eyes were medically controlled post-operatively and 13 eyes were failures which had to undergo further surgery.