Argon laser trabeculoplasty and reduction of ocular hypotensive medication used by glaucoma patients.

BACKGROUND We studied the effect of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) on medically controlled, pressure-stable glaucoma patients to verify whether it is possible to reduce ocular hypotensive medication after ALT while keeping intraocular pressure levels similar to those observed before the procedure. METHODS Seventy-one consecutive chronic glaucoma patients, all of whom were taking ocular hypotensive medication and had intraocular pressure at adequate levels, underwent ALT. After the laser procedure, each patient discontinued one hypotensive drug. Mean follow-up was 16.39 +/- 5.39 months. We performed diurnal pressure curves on each patient before and after trabeculoplasty to determine the effect on intraocular pressure. RESULTS In 39 (54.9%) patients, it was possible to reduce ocular hypotensive medication and still maintain intraocular pressure levels similar to those achieved before ALT. INTERPRETATION For some medically controlled, chronic glaucoma patients, ALT can reduce the amount of ocular hypotensive medication without significantly altering intraocular pressure.