LONG-TERM RESULTS WITH ARGON-LASER TRABECULOPLASTY

The long-term effectiveness of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is still questioned. In order to assess the long-term effect of ALT in our hands we reviewed the results of 102 patients who underwent ALT nine to 11 years ago. Thirty eyes of 22 patients were still available for follow-up at 9.5 years, having a fall in intraocular pressure (IOP) from 23 +/- 7 mmHg (range, 15 to 44 mmHg) before treatment to 17 +/- 4 mmHg (10 to 30 mmHg) at 9.5 years. A mean field loss of 39% +/- 29% in 21 eyes with IOP controlled in a range of 15 mmhg or less progressed another 5% +/- 4% additional loss. In eight eyes whose IOP could not be controlled below 20 mmHg a mean field loss of 10% +/- 24% sustained an additional 22% +/- 24% loss. Pressure control in the range of 16 to 20 mmHg gave intermediate results for progression of field loss. Argon laser trabeculoplasty with adjunctive medical therapy continues to lower IOP long term, but IOP control at 15 mmHg or less optimally slows field loss.