Background: We studied the effect of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) on the blood-aqueous barrier (BAB) in 41 eyes of 41 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, or pigment dispersion glaucoma using the Fluorotron Master II. Methods: Fluorophotometry was performed the day before ALT and on the 3rd day after surgery at 30 and 60 min after intravenous injection of 7 mg/kg body weight sodium fluorescein 10%. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry on the day before surgery and at 3rd days and 1 year (mean) after ALT. Patients were treated with argon laser by one surgeon (180 degrees, 0.1 s, 50 mu m 0.6-1.0 W, 56 laser burns). Eyes were randomly assigned to either diclofenac-sodium 0.1% eye drops or vehicle. Eye drops were applied six times 1 h before ALT into the operated eyes and five times daily for 3 days postoperatively. Results: On the 3rd day after ALT there was significant disruption of the BAB in the placebo-treated eyes compared to the diclofenac 0.1%-treated eyes. In the placebo-treated eyes as well as in diclofenac-sodium 0.1%-treated eyes there was a significant decrease of IOP postoperatively for up to 1 year. There was no significant difference concerning the IOP reduction after 1 year. Diclofenac-sodium 0.1% eye drops significantly stabilized the BAB on the 3rd day after ALT, compared to placebo, in this model. Conclusion: Diclofenac-sodium 0.1% significantly stabilized the disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier on the 3rd day after ALT. Concerning the IOP-lowering effect of ALT, the postoperative application of steroids should be avoided.
