The effects of argon laser trabeculoplasty on trabeculectomy

Abstract

Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is a frequently used method in preoperative treatment of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) when maximal medical therapy fails and it is considered an alternative method to trabeculectomy. Recently, preoperative ALT has been implicated as a risk factor for the failure of glaucoma filtration surgery. Long-term results of trabeculectomy in 49 eyes of 40 patients with POAG were compared with the long-term results of preoperative ALT performed on 21 eyes of 16 patients, respectively. No significant difference could be found in mean pressure reduction between two groups during 3 and 36 months follow up (P>0.05). Laser trabeculoplasty has not been implicated as a risk factor for the failure of trabeculectomy.