Acute intraocular pressure elevation produced by argon laser trabeculoplasty in the cynomolgus monkey
M. C. Koss, W. F. March, R. E. Nordquist and T. Gherezghiher
The short-term effect of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) was studied in a
nonhuman primate model. The ALT treatment produced a consistent intraocular
pressure elevation in the treated eye for eight hours. A statistically
significant indomethacin-resistant increase in aqueous humor protein
concentration was also observed. Morphologic observations using light
microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed
evidence of a fibrinous material covering the trabecular openings four
hours after ALT. Cells and tissue debris appeared to be trapped in this
fibrinlike net and may be the cause of the acute rise in IOP. Twenty-eight
hours after ALT, the fibrin net was shown to be discontinuous, with fewer
cells and less debris present. These acute morphologic alterations were not
seen in control eyes or the laser-treated eyes observed later.
