Diode laser trabeculoplasty (DLT) for primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 74; no. 12; pp. 743 - 747
• Main Authors: McHugh, D, Marshall, J, Ffytche, T J, Hamilton, P A, Raven, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.12.1990; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Glaucoma; Glaucoma, Open-Angle - surgery; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Laser Therapy; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Ocular Hypertension - surgery; Pilot Projects; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; Time Factors; Trabeculectomy; Human; Eye disease; Treatment; Open angle glaucoma; Surgery; Ocular hypertension; Laser; Semiconductor diode; Trabeculoplasty; Semiconductor laser
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.74.12.743

A pilot study has been carried out to examine the efficacy of diode laser trabeculoplasty in the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The device used was portable and could be attached to a standard slit-lamp microscope. Powers of 0.8-1.2 W were used, with a spot size of 100 microns and a pulse of 0.20 second. Laser trabeculoplasty carried out on 20 eyes for glaucoma resulted in a mean ocular hypotensive effect of 10.2 mmHG at two weeks after treatment and of 9.55 mmHg at 6 months. It is concluded that diode laser trabeculoplasty is an effective mode of treatment for eyes with open-angle glaucoma or with ocular hypertension.