Flurbiprofen pretreatment in argon laser trabeculoplasty for primary open-angle glaucoma

We examined the influence of topically administered flurbiprofen sodium 0.03%, a potent prostaglandin inhibitor, on the inflammatory response and intraocular pressure following argon laser trabeculoplasty. Our investigation included one eye of each of 118 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma in whom laser trabeculoplasty was indicated. Sixty-three patients received flurbiprofen and 55 received a vehicle during the two-hour period immediately preceding laser therapy and for one week postoperatively. No significant differences in postoperative IOPs were noted between groups. However, when we considered conjunctival erythema at 24 hours or control of inflammation at the termination of the investigation, the eyes receiving flurbiprofen had less inflammation than did the vehicle-treated eyes.