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Comparative analysis of one year outcomes of selective laser trabeculoplasty versus argon laser trabeculoplasty in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma patients in Nigeria
Onakoya, Adeola & Olawoye, Olusola O.
Abstract
Background: There are several challenges associated with trabeculectomy and
medical management in Nigeria. This makes laser trabeculoplasty a viable option
in glaucoma management. This study compares Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
(SLT) with Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) in Nigerians with open angle
glaucoma.
Methods: This was a retrospective study performed on 26 eyes of 26 patients who
had ALT and were recruited consecutively at the glaucoma clinic of the University
College Hospital (UCH), and 25 eyes of 25 patients who had SLT recruited from the
Guinness Eye Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos (LUTH). The main
outcome measure was intraocular pressure (IOP) at one month, three months, six
months and one year. Success was defined as IOP reduction of 3mmHg or more
without additional intervention (glaucoma surgery) from the pretreatment IOP.
Results: The mean age of the patients who had ALT was 58.0±7.1 years (range of
40.0-70.0 years) while the mean age of patients who had SLT was 53.52 ± 14.65
years (Range 22 – 74 years). There was no statistically significant difference in IOP
between the two groups at the different time periods. Based on our criterion for
success, 84.5% of the patients had successful outcome at six months in the ALT
group while 70.5% were successful in the SLT group (P=0.6). At one year, there was
no statistically significant difference between the two groups on log rank
test/Mantel Cox (Chi square 3.36, df=1, P=0.07.)
Conclusion: This study highlights the efficacy and safety of both lasers in Nigerians
and adds to knowledge that the adjunctive IOP reducing effect of both lasers is
comparable in the short term in this indigenous African population.
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