Efficacy and Safety of Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty in Lowering Intraocular Pressure as Adjunctive Treatment to Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Abstract

Purpose: To assess efficacy and safety of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) to lower intra ocular pressure (IOP) as adjunctive treatment in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. \nStudy Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional. \nPlace and Duration of Study: Ophthalmology Department, Abbassi Shaheed Hospital from May 2016 to August, 2017. \nMaterials and Methods: Primary open glaucoma patients were selected from eye OPD. Patients with Inflammatory, angle closure, traumatic glaucoma were excluded. Pre laser and Post laser IOP was measured at 1st week then at 1, 3 and 6 months. Data was collected and analyzed on SPSS version 20. There were 114 patients \nResults: There were 69 (61%) male patients. Mean age of patients was 60.53 ± 10.71 years. Mean pre laser Intraocular pressure was 23.98 ± 10.01 mm Hg. Mean post laser IOP at one month was 15.6 ± 3.25 and at 6 months was 14.8 ± 3.28 mm Hg. Overall mean reduction of IOP was 9.18 mm Hg from baseline, with p value less than < 0.005. Pre laser 3 medications were used by 20 (18%) and 2 medications by 49 (43%). At 6 months follow-up 4 (3.5%) patients were on 3 medications and 31 (37%) were on 2 medications. It has a p value < 0.005. Drug free patients at 6 months follow-up were 37 (33%). Mild iritis was seen in 7 (6.14%) patients. \nConclusion: Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty is effective and safe method to control IOP in POAG when used as an adjunct to medical therapy. It also decreases number of drugs used by patients. \nKey Words: Argon laser trabeculoplasty, intraocular pressure, primary open angle glaucoma.