Laser trabeculoplasty is a routine treatment for glaucoma and can be performed with either argon (ALT) or selective Yag (SLT) lasers. The effectiveness of each has not been studied in patients under 60 years, which is younger than average for the procedure. The study hypothesis is that there will be no difference between the two laser types.
Forty-two young patients (age 29 to 60) had one eye randomized to ALT (n = 22) or SLT (n = 20). Intraocular pressure was measured prior to laser and 1 hour, 1 day, 6 weeks, 3 months, every 3 months until 2 years, and then yearly post-laser. χ2 analysis and student's t-test were used to determine statistical significance.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
42
Argon laser 600-800 mW, 0.1seconds, 50 micron spot size, 45 - 55 burns over 180 degrees of trabecular meshwork
Selective laser trabeculoplasty 0.7 - 0.8 mJ, 400 micron spot size, 3 nanosecond, 45 - 55 burns over 180 degrees of trabecular meshwork.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Intraocular pressure
The intraocular pressure was measured at 6 weeks, 4.5 months, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months following the laser treatment.
Time frame: Two years
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