[Laser trabeculoplasty--present and future perspectives]

Abstract

Laser trabeculoplasty has been used in the treatment of various types of glaucoma for nearly 20 years. It's intraocular pressure lowering effect through enhancement of aqueous outflow is well documented. In spite of this, the precise effect of laser trabeculoplasty in the trabecular meshwork is only partially understood. It is related to laser wave length, laser power, burns location, number of shots etc. The effectiveness of laser trabeculoplasty diminishes over time, but can be renewed with re-treatment. Laser trabeculoplasty has connected with minimum complications and it is most effective in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma and the exfoliation syndrome glaucoma, though the long-term results of this microsurgery laser treatment are not quite indisputable.