Selective laser trabeculoplasty vargon laser trabeculoplasty: a prospective randomised clinical trial. Issue 6 (1st June 1999)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Damji, Karim F; Shah, Kirtida C; Rock, William J; Bains, Harkaran S; Hodge, William G
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 83:Issue 6(1999)
• Page Start: 718
• Page End: 722
• Publication Date: 1999-06-01
• Subjects: laser trabeculoplasty -- argon laser trabeculoplasty -- glaucoma; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.83.6.718
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : AIMS: To compare the effectiveness of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT, a 532 nm Nd:YAG laser) with argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with medically uncontrolled open angle glaucoma. METHODS: A prospective randomised clinical trial was designed. Patients were randomised to treatment with either SLT or ALT and were evaluated at 1 hour, 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months post-laser. RESULTS: There were 18 eyes in each group. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. In the SLT group the mean IOP at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months was 22.8 (SD 3.0), 20.1 (4.6), 19.3 (6.0), and 17.8 (4.8) mm Hg, respectively. In the ALT group, the mean IOP at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months was 22.5 (3.6), 19.5 (4.7), 19.6 (5.6), and 17.7 (3.3) mm Hg, respectively. There was a greater anterior chamber reaction, 1 hour after SLT v ALT (p< 0.01). Patients with previous failed ALT had a better reduction in IOP with SLT than with repeat ALT (6.8 (2.4) v 3.6 (1.8) mm Hg; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: SLT appears to be equivalent to ALT in lowering IOP during the first 6 months after treatment. There is a slightly greater anterior chamber reaction 1 hour after SLT. Patients with previous failed ALT had a significantly greater drop in IOP when treated with SLT v ALT. These results need to be confirmed with a larger sample size.