Effect of Combined Argon Laser Peripheral Iridoplasty and Laser Iridotomy in Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of argon laser peripheral iridoplasty in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma. METHODS: Eyes of 63 patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma who needed laser therapy were evaluated. We divided the patients randomly into two groups and studied prospectively. Thirty eyes (30 patients) were treated with both laser iridotomy and argon laser peripheral iridoplasty. Thirty-three eyes (33 patients) were treated with only laser iridotomy. Anti-glaucoma drugs were not used after laser therapy, and intraocualr pressure (IOP) over 21 mmHg during follow-up period were considered as failure. RESULTS: No differences were found between the two groups in age, sex, initial IOP, clinical forms of angle closure, degrees of peripheral antirior synechiae, and follow-up period. Patients treated with argon laser peripheral iridoplasty and laser iridotomy had successfully controlled IOPs (<21 mmHg) than those with only laser iridotomy through 8 months after laser therapy (p<0.05, log-rank test). However, there was no difference in the two groups at the final follow-up months (12 months) (p=0.180, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Argon laser pheripheral iridoplasty decreased IOP in the early post-laser period. However, in the long term follow-up, the effect of argon laser pheripheral iridoplasty did not last when compared with laser iridotomy.