Early intraocular pressure response to laser trabeculoplasty 180 degrees without apraclonidine versus 360 degrees with apraclonidine.

Early postoperative intraocular pressure elevation (IOP) is less common after 180-degree than after 360-degree argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT). We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 38 patients treated with 360-degree ALT and perioperative 1% apraclonidine, and those of 39 patients treated with 180-degree ALT without apraclonidine, to determine whether apraclonidine offset the increased risk of transient pressure elevation following 360-degree treatment, as compared with that after 180-degree therapy. The average IOP change and the frequency of pressure elevations at 1 hour, 1 day, and 1 month postoperatively were similar in the two groups. With respect to early postoperative IOP elevation, 360-degree ALT with perioperative apraclonidine appears to be as safe as 180-degree ALT without apraclonidine.