Argon Laser and Nd-YAG Laser Combined Iridotomy

ABSTRACT

Argon laser iridotomy is at present the procedure of choice in Korea for the treatment of pupillarx block and angle closure glaucoma. However, despite modified argon laser techniques, difficulties in penetration of irides and closure of hole have been widely reported. Recently reported Q-switched Nd-YAG laser iridotomy have a many complications such as bleeding, lenticular opacity and small hole. And so argon laser and Nd-YAG laser combined iridotomy was performed on 80 eyes, 57 patients with angle closure glaucoma. The follow up period ranged from 1 to 14 months. 71(88.7%) of 80 eyes treated required a single lasing session for patency, and six eyes required two sessions and three eyes required three sessions. Closure of the iridotomy site occurred in 6.2% of eyes, an incidence remarkably lower than that of argon laser iridotomy alone. Localized lenticular opacity and bleeding were not observed, but immediate postoperative iritis and elevation of intraocular pressure were observed.