New approach for conjunctivochalasis using an argon green laser.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of conjunctivoplasty using an argon green laser in symptomatic patients with conjunctivochalasis (CCh).

METHODS

Twenty-nine eyes of 18 patients with various grades of CCh were included in this study. All the patients, who were refractory to the conventional therapy, were treated using an argon green laser. The ocular symptoms and signs, including the CCh grade, the tear Ocular Surface Disease Index, the breakup time, the Schirmer test, and the abnormal ocular surface findings, were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 69.1 ± 8.4 years. The grade of CCh in 25 eyes (86%) decreased at 6 months after the laser conjunctivoplasty. When the grade reduction rates were calculated, the reduction rates of grades 1, 2, and 3 were 100%, 69%, and 48%, respectively. Most of the patients showed a significant symptomatic improvement, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index scores decreased from 0.41 to 0.22 (P < 0.001). The breakup time increased from 9.1 to 10.2 (P = 0.007), but the Schirmer test results did not show any differences after the surgery (P = 0.257).

CONCLUSIONS

Conjunctivoplasty using an argon green laser is a simple and effective choice to treat symptomatic patients with CCh, especially in cases of mild-to-moderate grade CCh.