[Argon laser trabeculoplasty in chronic simple glaucoma with visual field defects and papillary damage]

It has been recently demonstrated that the intraocular pressure (IOP) after argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in primary open-angle glaucoma rises in the long term. The present study analysed the effect of the postoperative rise in IOP in 36 patients (group A) with glaucomatous optic nerve damage or visual field defects. The results were compared with those in 37 patients without such glaucomatous damage (group B). The IOP, the cup-disk ratios and the visual fields (Goldmann) were retrospectively studied. All patients were under topical glaucoma medication. At the end of the follow-up (group A 20.2 +/- 3.39 months, group B 17.4 +/- 3.59 months), the IOP was uncontrolled in both study groups, and visual fields and disc cupping had worsened in both groups. The results indicate that ALT should not be considered in patients with optic disc damage or glaucomatous visual field defects.