Abstract
Purpose:
To investigate the effect of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) on posture-induced intraocular pressure (IOP) changes in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG).
Methods:
Thirty eyes of 30 patients with OAG who underwent ALT were prospectively analyzed. The IOP was measured using a rebound tonometry (Icare PRO; Icare Finland Oy, Helsinki, Finland) in the sitting, supine, and dependent lateral decubitus position (LDP) before, and 1 week, 1 month, 2 month, and 3 month after ALT.
Results:
Compare to baseline value, IOPs in each position were significantly decreased after ALT (all P < 0.001). Compare to sitting position, the IOPs in the supine and LDP were significantly higher during follow-up period (all P < 0.001). Also, the IOP between supine position and LDP during follow-up were significantly different (all P < 0.001). Although there were no differences in the mean percentage of IOP reduction between sitting and supine position, the percentage of reduction in LDP were significantly lower compared with sitting and supine position during follow-up (all P < 0.05). The extent of IOP differences between sitting and supine position, and sitting and LDP were not significant compare to baseline value during follow-up period (all P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
ALT appeared to be effective in lowering IOP in various postures but the degree of IOP lowering effect was significantly lower in LDP. In addition, ALT seemed to have limited effects on posture-mediated IOP fluctuation.