Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To compare the short term intraocular pressure lowering ability of MicroPulse Diode Laser Trabeculoplasty (MDLT) to that of argon laser trabeculoplasty in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: Twenty one eyes of twenty–one patients with POAG were randomized to treatment with MDLT or ALT. All patients had a pre–operative IOP of 21 mm Hg or greater. IOP was also measured at one hour, one week, one month, and three months post–operatively. Anterior cell and flare reactions, pre–operative angle pigment, adverse reactions, and visual acuity were also recorded. Results: Mean preoperative IOP was 24.6 mm Hg in the MDLT group and 24.3 mm Hg in the ALT group. At one week the mean MDLT IOP was 21.5 mm Hg and 22.4 mm Hg for ALT. At one month the mean IOP was 20.6 mm Hg and 20.5 mm Hg respectively. At three months the IOP was 20.1 and 19.7 respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups at any one visit. After three months both groups showed a statistically significant drop from baseline (p < 0. 05). Conclusions: The IOP lowering effects of MDLT were statistically significant. The IOP lowering effects of ALT were also significant in this group of patients. There was no statistically significant difference in pressure lowering between these groups.
Keywords: laser • trabecular meshwork