Efficacy of argon laser trabeculoplasty in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in patients with aphakia or pseudophakia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 63 eyes of 63 patients with aphakia or pseudophakia who had uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma and were treated with 180 degrees or 360 degrees ALT. RESULTS: The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) before ALT was 25.1 mm Hg (+/- 8.1 mm Hg). Two years after ALT, the mean IOP in the successfully treated group was 15.4 mm Hg. The mean survival time (50% success rate) for all treated eyes was 23 months, and treatment was successful in 34% of eyes at 36 months. Pseudophakic eyes had a better response than aphakic eyes (P = .06), and eyes that had extracapsular surgery did better than eyes with intracapsular surgery (P = .07). CONCLUSION: ALT in aphakic or pseudophakic eyes with uncontrolled glaucoma is a safe, reasonably effective treatment that can delay the need for trabeculectomy.