The Long-term Effect of Nd:YAG Laser Iridotomy on Intraocular Pressure in Taiwanese Eyes with Primary Angle-closure Glaucoma

BackgroundTo investigate the long-term effect of Nd:YAG laser iridotomy on intraocular pressure (IOP) in Taiwaneseeyes with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).MethodsThe medical records of 81 patients (130 eyes) who were diagnosed with PACG and who had undergone Nd:YAG laser iridotomy between 1998 and 2002 were reviewed. According to the presence of symptomatic glaucomaattack, eyes were divided into an acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) group and chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG)group. In the AACG group, the acute episode was treated and resolved after Nd:YAG laser iridotomy. These eyes were diag-nosed to have or developed glaucoma during the follow-up period. All patients were followed-up for at least 24 months. The presenting features, treatment and IOP during the follow-up period were analyzed.ResultsThe mean follow-up period was 44.1 ±17.8 months (median, 36 months). There were 27 eyes (from 25 patients)in the AACG group. Only 2 eyes (7.4%) did not require any treatment after Nd:YAG laser iridotomy. Eleven eyes (40.7%)eventually underwent filtering surgery at a mean of 3.2 months (median, 3 months) after Nd:YAG laser iridotomy. Therewere 103 eyes (from 56 patients) in the CACG group. Eighty-five eyes (82.5%) required further medical treatment, ofwhich 21 eyes (20.4%) eventually received filtering surgery at a mean of 9.8 months (median, 5 months) after Nd:YAGlaser iridotomy.ConclusionFor most Taiwanese eyes with PACG after Nd:YAG laser iridotomy, additional medicine and surgery arerequired in the long term. Eyes in the AACG group needed more surgical intervention than those in the CACG group.