Argon laser trabeculoplasty as primary therapy in open angle glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) as a primary mode of therapy in reducing the intraocular Pressure (IOP) of patients diagnosed with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). STUDY DESIGN Quasi experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY The study was carried out at Isra Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Karachi, from July 2003 to July 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 35 eyes of 35 patients with the gender distribution of 27 men and 8 women who were newly diagnosed with POAG, were included in this study. Mean age of the patients was 55.2 years with the range of 32 to 76 years. All of them were treated with argon laser trabeculoplasty as a primary mode of therapy. Intra ocular pressure was measured objectively using Goldman applanation tonometer, pre-and-post laser therapy. RESULTS The pre-laser mean IOP was 27.63 mmHg (range 21-40 mmHg). The post-laser mean IOP measured at 6 months follow up was 15.5 mmHg (range 11 - 33 mmHg) with mean decrease of 12.1 mmHg. The decrease in IOP was seen in 32 eyes (95%) with no change observed in 3 (5%) eyes. CONCLUSION The result shows a marked decline in IOP in patients with POAG who underwent ALT as a primary mode of treatment. Further studies with large sample size and longer follow-up will help in making future recommendations.