Argon versus Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty in the Treatment of Open Angle Glaucoma

摘要

Laser technology first became available in the early 1960s Its application to the anterior chamber angle structures solely for the purpose of reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) was described in the United States by Worthen and Wickham in 1973.Krasrov described a "micropuncture" technique using a Q-switched ruby laser in 10 patients with chronic open angle glaucoma (OAG).2 A temporary IOP reduction was noted in all patients.Ticho and Zauberman used argon laser directed at filtration apparatus to improve the outflow facility of glaucomatous eyes.In 1979, Wise and Witter5 reported moderate IOP reduction and few complications after argon laser irradiation of the trabecular meshwork (TM) in patients with OAG. Subsequently, argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) has been embraced as a treatment modality in eyes with medically uncontrolled OAG.