Introduction/Aim. Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) is a recognized method
for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma.
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of primary medicament
therapy and primary ALT on IOP regulation and stability of perimetry
findings. Methods. A total of 50 eyes of 35 patients were treated with
primary ALT while 50 eyes of 36 patients were treated with primary medicament
therapy with 0.5% timolol with 20, 0.005% latanoprost 18 and with 2%
dorzolamid 12 eyes. IOP was controled at 3 months, and the visual field at 6
months during a 30-month follow-up period. Results. In the first 24 months of
follow-up there was no statistically significant difference in percentage of
eyes with successfully regulated IOP. At 27th and 30th month, in the group
primarily treated with medicaments a statistically significant higher
percentage of successfully regulated IOP was observed in 98%, and 96% of the
eyes, respectively, while in the group primarily treated with ALT the decline
in the percentage of successfully regulated IOP was observed in 78% and 76%
of the eyes, (?2-test, p = 0.002, p = 0.140). Both therapy groups showed
stability of perimetry findings without statistically significant difference
in the values of mean deviation (MD) index until the end of the monitoring
period. The dynamics of change in MD index value showed a statistically
significant greater decline in this parameter in subjects who had been
primarily treated with medications during the last six months of follow-up,
(two-factor analysis of variance with a repeated measurement, factor of time ?
type of therapy, p = 0.030). Conclusion. Primary ALT equally successfully
regulates IOP and restores stability of perimetry findings in patients with
open angle glaucoma like the primary medicament therapy.