Goniophotocoagulation for neovascular glaucoma

Abstract

A new treatment, goniophotocoagulation, for neovascularization of the anterior chamber angle has been applied with the argon laser to 21 eyes of 20 patients. Three of the eyes had neovascularization related to central retinal vein occlusion. In the other 18 eyes the neovascularization was related to diabetic retinopathy. A specific protocol has been followed since January 1973. The results so far indicate that closure of the angle and progression of the usual chain of pathologic events in neovascular glaucoma were prevented in 10 (77%) of the 13 eyes having an average follow-up of 22 months. We believe that goniophotocoagulation of the angle deserves more extensive, judicious, and carefully monitored clinical use. Our results suggest that this new technique is safe and reasonably effective in preventing progressive neovascularization of the angle, synechial closure, and severe nonvascular glaucoma.