Laser trabeculoplasty for glaucoma in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes after penetrating keratoplasty

W. S. Van Meter, R. C. Allen, G. O. Waring 3rd and R. D. Stulting
Department of Ophthalmology, Emory Clinic, Atlanta.

We used argon laser trabeculoplasty to treat medically uncontrolled glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty in ten eyes that were aphakic or pseudophakic. These patients were examined over an average of 22.8 months (range, 12 to 37 months) after treatment. We found an average decrease in intraocular pressure of 9.1 mm Hg (range, +8 to -19), from an average of 30.6 mm Hg before treatment to an average of 21.5 mm Hg after treatment. Eight of ten eyes had a reduction of greater than 5 mm Hg, and six of ten eyes had intraocular pressure of less than 20 mm Hg. Visual function remained stable, and complications were rare. We now prefer argon laser trabeculoplasty to cyclocryotherapy for the initial treatment of patients with medically uncontrolled glaucoma who have predominantly open angles and a clear penetrating keratoplasty.