Abstract
Purpose: :
Central corneal thickness is a recognized factor in the prognosis for progression of primary open angle glaucoma. We propose that CCT may be related to the success of argon laser trabeculoplasty. Our objective is to determine if success or failure of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) correlates with central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).
Methods: :
Forty–nine African American patients with POAG who had ALT in Brooklyn, NY were analyzed in a retrospective chart review. Baseline IOP, CCT, cup to disc ratio, follow up time, age, gender, and the presence of diabetes and hypertension were documented and analyzed for their association with success or failure to ALT. Success was defined as having at least a 20% reduction in IOP following ALT and not requiring additional surgery.
Results: :
Mean CCT for patients whom failed to have an adequate response to ALT was 516, while the mean CCT for patients who had successful ALT responses was 547 (p = 0.032). There was no statistically significant relationship amongst ALT outcomes and age, gender, baseline IOP, cup to disc ratio, follow up period, or comorbid disease states.
Conclusions: :
African American patients with POAG and thinner CCT had significantly higher failure rates of ALT compared with those patients with thicker CCT.
Keywords: intraocular pressure • laser • trabecular meshwork