ANTIINFLAMMATORY TREATMENT AFTER ARGON-LASER TRABECULOPLASTY

After argon trabeculoplasty procedures in patients with chronic open angle glaucoma, the protein appearance and cell circulation were observed within the anterior chamber. Flare and cell measurements of the anterior compartment are parameters of aqueous blood barrier break down. This investigation was perfomed in 50 patients suffering from elevated intraocular pressure and treated with argon laser trabeculoplasty. Two different anti-inflammatory drugs (prednisolone acetate and cyclooxygenase inhibitor) were applied to the treated eyes and checked for their effect on inflammation reduction. The protein and cell concentrations within the anterior chamber were measured before and 6 and 24 h after trabeculoplasty with a flare cell meter (KOWA) and compared to a control group. Argon laser trabeculoplasty induces an increase in protein concentration within the anterior chamber. This investigation demonstrates a clear drop in the inflammatory reaction of treated eyes during prednisolone acetate and cyclooxygenase inhibitor application. The intraocular pressure was reduced to about 6 mm Hg in treated eves from an average pressure of 26 mm Hg.