Yonago Acta medica 1991;34:209-216

Laser Trabeculoplasty for Various Types of Open-angle Glaucoma in our Institution

Shoji Nakanishi*, Kazunori Shimada, Junji Hamamoto, Isao Okamoto, Hiroshi Nakao, Yosaku Furutani, Atsushi Yamasaki, Masao Nagata and Akihiko Tamai

Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683, Japan

One hundred and thirty-one eyes of 99 patients with various types of open-angle glaucoma underwent laser trabeculoplasty (LTP) at the Department of Ophthalmology in Tottori University Hospital during the period from September 1983 to April 1990. The cases were followed up for 1 to 75 months, average 19.2 months. The mean prelaser intraocular pressure (IOP), 25.4 ± 8.0 mmHg (standard deviation), significantly decreased (P < 0.001) to 21.0 ± 7.9 mmHg, postoperatively. Favorable postlaser IOP controls were especially found in eyes with primary open-angle, capsular, combined-mechanism, uveitic and low tension glaucomas. The postlaser IOP was successfully controlled in patients aged 60 years and over; in those with a prelaser IOP of 25 mmHg and below; and in those having no previous glaucoma surgery. Analysis was made by the life table method of Kaplan-Meier and the success rate of the LTP in a single session (single LTP) was 43.3% over 75 months. That of the LTP in a single, to 3 sessions (all LTP) was 54.4%, indicating the long-lasting effect of LTP. As to the complications during and after LTP, iritis, transient rise of IOP, peripheral anterior synechiae, hyphema and corneal opacity were observed in 100% to 2.3% of the treated eyes without serious consequence. The results seem to indicate that LTP is beneficial and effective in the management of various types of open-angle glaucoma, without serious complications, if LTP-treated cases are suitably selected.

Key words: complications; intraocular pressure; laser trabeculoplasty; long-term follow-up; open-angle glaucoma

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