Diode laser iridotomy in rabbit and human eyes.

We investigated the use of an infrared diode laser to perform iridotomies in 20 eyes of ten rabbits and 40 eyes of 24 patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma. We used a two-stage method with initial circular stretch burns and subsequent penetrating multiple burns. The iris was perforated in one session and remained patent through ten months in rabbits, and seven to nine months in humans. Transitory clinical complications included intraocular pressure increase of more than 10 mm Hg (20%, eight of 40 eyes), corneal endothelial changes (5%, two of 40 eyes), clouding of lens surface (60%, 24 of 40 eyes), localized cataract (5%, two of 40 eyes), and pupillary distortion (70%, 28 of 40 eyes). No retinal damage was observed. Diode laser can be used for peripheral iridotomy.