Effects of corticosteroid pretreatment on argon laser trabeculoplasty

We treated 18 patients with open-angle glaucoma with topical 1.0% prednisolone acetate before performing argon laser trabeculoplasty in an attempt to prevent the increase in intraocular pressure frequently observed during the immediate postoperative period. Intraocular pressure was measured hourly for eight hours postoperatively and was increased in 14 patients. The mean maximum increase, 7.72 +/- 8.62 mm Hg, occurred an average of 3.06 +/- 1.86 hours after laser treatment. Substantial increases in intraocular pressure (more than 15 mm Hg) were observed in five patients within eight hours postoperatively. There were no significant differences in the intraocular pressures of these patients and of 20 similar patients with open-angle glaucoma who did not receive corticosteroid therapy immediately, one week, and two months postoperatively. Corticosteroid pretreatment of patients undergoing laser trabeculoplasty apparently does not influence either the increase in intraocular pressure during the immediate postoperative period or the intraocular pressure two months after treatment.