Influence of selective laser trabeculoplasty on 24-hour diurnal intraocular pressure fluctuation in primary open-angle glaucoma: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of selective laser trabeculoplasty on mean diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) and diurnal IOP fluctuation in primary open-angle glaucoma.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

After washout from intraocular pressure-lowering drugs, a baseline diurnal IOP curve was obtained for 26 eyes of 13 patients before selective laser trabeculoplasty. The IOP curve was repeated at 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

In five eyes, office time (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) IOP decreased by 20% or more. No similar decrease was seen in mean diurnal IOP in any case. IOP-lowering drugs were required for 11 eyes before the 3-month visit. Baseline diurnal IOP was higher for these eyes than for the others (P = .002). Compared with baseline values, a significant decrease was seen in mean IOP at the 6-month visit (P = .017) and in IOP fluctuation at both visits (P < .001 and P = .004, respectively) for the eyes without drug treatment.

CONCLUSION

Although no eyes showed mean diurnal IOP reduction of 20% or more, selective laser trabeculoplasty resulted in a significant decrease in the amplitude of diurnal IOP fluctuation.