Argon laser iridectomy.

By using a continuous wave argon laser, successful iridectomy was achieved in 41 out of 51 phakic eyes selected for the procedure. Three of the successful procedures required multiple sittings. The procedure was performed on an out-patient basis under topical anaesthesia, usually required less than one-half hour for completion with a negligible complication rate. Therefore, where available ArLI appears to present a viable alternative to surgical iridectomy for the definitive treatment of angle closure glaucoma.

Argon laser iridoplasty.

We performed laser iridoplasty on 15 eyes, 7 of which had medically unbreakable attacks of angle closure glaucoma and 8 eyes had plateau iris configuration. We were successful in controlling intraocular pressure in 13 of the 15 eyes. The procedure was performed in O.P.D. under topical anaesthesia with minimal complications. As is evident from our results, iridoplasty is a safe and effective procedure, rapidly gaining favour with the ophthalmologists to treat certain difficult conditions. However long term and larger studies are required to further evaluate this procedure.