Prophylactic iridotomy may prevent angle-closure glaucoma, surgeon says

FLORENCE, Italy — Prophylactic treatment with laser iridotomy of the fellow eye of patients with monocular angle-closure glaucoma can help prevent development of the disease over the long term, according to a study presented here at the European Glaucoma Society meeting.

The study included the records of eight men and 34 women with a mean age of 69.1 years. To be included, patients had to have been followed for at least 5 years without undergoing cataract surgery during that time. Patients who had existing high IOPs, chronic angle closure or other forms of glaucoma, such as neovascular glaucoma, were also excluded.

According to Pui Wai Pian Yip, MD, who conducted the study with colleagues at the Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, the prevalence of angle-closure glaucoma is much higher among people in Hong Kong than in Europe. Thus, she said, the study was intended to assess the effectiveness of the procedure on only Hong Kong Chinese patients.

All patients were successfully treated with argon laser iridotomy. During the course of follow-up, one patient (2.4%) developed appositional angle closure and was subsequently treated with argon laser peripheral iridoplasty, she said. The patient required no further treatment, she added.