Corneal decompensation after argon laser iridectomy
A. L. Schwartz, N. F. Martin and P. A. Weber
Department of Ophthalmology, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC.
Five eyes of three patients developed generalized corneal decompensation
after undergoing argon laser iridectomy for angle closure glaucoma. Factors
possibly associated with corneal decompensation include episodes of angle
closure glaucoma with pressure elevations and inflammation, corneal
guttate, diabetes, and the need for multiple treatments requiring a
high-laser energy. It is important for ophthalmologists to inform their
patients of the rare risk of developing bullous keratopathy after argon
laser iridectomy and to consider obtaining prelaser specular microscopy to
document the corneal status in high-risk patients.
