ACUTE ANGLE-CLOSURE GLAUCOMA - RELATIVE FAILURE OF YAG IRIDOTOMY IN AFFECTED EYES AND FACTORS INFLUENCING OUTCOME

The treatment of acute angle closure glaucoma has been influenced by t he development of the YAG laser and its ability to perform iridotomies as an outpatient procedure. In this retrospective study the results o f YAG iridotomy were compared with surgical peripheral iridectomy. Whe n compared with surgical peripheral iridectomy patients, YAG iridotomy patients were at greater risk of proceeding to further surgery, with this risk being significantly associated with increasing duration of a ttack. The authors suggest that in selected cases, surgical iridectomy should be given consideration as a primary procedure.