Krypton laser photoiridectomy in narrow-angle glaucoma

ABSTRACT

Krypton laser iridectomy was performed on 20 eyes of 14 patients. In eight eyes with closed angle glaucoma the intraocular pressure [IOP] was controlled within normal limits. Eleven eyes with narrow angles maintained a normal intraocular pressure after preventive laser iridectomy. Only in one eye with chronic closed-angle glaucoma the IOP was not controlled after laser iridectomy and the iridocorneal angle remained practically the same as before the procedure. The mean pressure was 28 mm.Hg. applanation before and 18 after the procedure. The iridectomies were performed with the use of Krypton laser power of 200 to 400 mw, exposure time of 0.1 to 0.2 S, and spot size of 50 to 200 u. Blue irides were slightly more resistant to treatment than brown irides. Krypton laser iridectomy by this technique is highly recommended as the procedure of choice for eyes with acute angle-closure glaucoma and for preventive iridectomy in the fellow eyes