Two-year follow-up of intra-ocular pressure control with long duration argon laser trabeculoplasty

The two-year results of intra-ocular pressure control in the first prospective study of standard (0.1 second) and long (0.2 second) duration argon laser trabeculoplasty are presented. The two groups were comparable for intra-ocular pressures and treatment scores at the start of the study. An early benefit in intra-ocular pressure reduction was found for 0.2 second trabeculoplasty in the first year, which disappeared during the second-ond year of follow-up. No reduction in medications occurred following laser trabeculoplasty. There was no difference in the frequency of further interventions (repeat trabeculoplasty or drainage surgery) between the two groups. There was a strong correlation between the intra-ocular pressures of the first and second treated eyes. No clinical benefit was demonstrated for the longer duration over standard argon laser trabeculoplasty.