RESUMEN
AIM: To report the safety and efficacy of Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a retrospective study performed on 25 eyes of 25 patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria for ALT were recruited from the ophthalmic clinic of the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria and followed up for a minimum period of six months. Two criteria were used to define successful response. Criterion 1 was defined as IOP reduction of 3mmHg or more without additional intervention while criterion 2 was IOP reduction of 20% or more from the pretreatment IOP. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. Frequencies and means were generated to observe patterns of variable distribution among the patients. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean pretreatment IOP was 19.9 ±3.1mmHg, (range of 16 to 26 mmHg). Mean post treatment IOP at 6 months was 14.9 ±2.2 mmHg, (range of 11 to 19 mmHg). Mean IOP reduction at one year was 4.6 mmHg, representing a 22.3% drop. There was a statistically significant greater IOP reduction in eyes (P<0.001) with higher pretreatment IOP. Based on criterion 1 and 2, 84.0% of the patients had successful outcome at six months while at one year, 76.9% were successful based on criterion one. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the efficacy of ALT in Nigerians. ALT is safe and effective in reducing IOP in Nigerians. KEY MESSAGES: ALT is safe and effective in reducing intraocular pressure in this population of Nigerians. FUNDING: The present study did not receive any funds.