This article aims to show the effect of pseudophakia on the success of selective laser trabeculoplasty with the aid of digital microscope in lowering intraocular pressure or IOP. Pseudophakia is the process of implanting an intraocular lens in the eye to replace the existing crystalline lens. It is a form of refractive surgery to change the eyes optical power. It usually consists of a plastic lens with plastic side struts to hold the lens in place within the capsular bag. The insertion of an intraocular lens is the most commonly performed eye surgical procedure.
Laser trabeculoplasty with the aid of digital microscope is a laser procedure used to treat eye diseases such as glaucoma. This reduces the pressure in the eye, or the IOP. Laser trabeculoplasty that is attached to a digital microscope uses a very focused beam of light to treat the drainage angle of the eye. This type of treatment is believed to improve the fluid drainage from the drainage canals or the trabecular meshwork; however, it is not entirely clear how it performs such mechanism. It is thought that the laser burns cause scarring of the tissue, opening the canals in the meshwork that can be seen under a special microscope. This makes it easier for fluid to flow out. Eye drops are put in the person’s eye before or after the procedure. This is done in order to decrease the amount of fluid in the eyes and prevent elevation in eye pressure immediately after laser treatment. A special microscope called the slit lamp and a goniolens are used to guide the laser beam to the trabecular meshwork. Laser trabeculoplasty is a procedure that may be helpful in treating people with increased IOP such as glaucoma that continues to get worse in spite of medication treatment.
Complications of laser trabeculoplasty are rare. The most common complication of laser treatment for glaucoma is an increase in the pressure in the eyes. The pressure may be normal immediately after laser treatment and rise sharply within 1 to 4 hours after laser treatment. Other complications of laser treatment may include a brief period of inflammation of the iris, cloudiness of the cornea over the iris, blockage of the drainage angle when the cornea and the iris stick together, pain and decreased vision.
The method that the study used was described in the article. In the said clinical trial, patients who underwent selective laser trabeculoplasty from September 2002 to June 2004 were studied. They underwent selective laser trabeculoplasty using a frequency doubled Q switched 532 nm Nd YAG laser. A chart review of all these patients progress was made. Changes in the patients IOP were noted and the statistical significance were determined at each follow-up period. The article aims to show the average decrease in IOP and success rates for phakic and pseudophakic patients. The decrease in IOP and sucees rates for phakic and pseudophakic patients were compared statistically at each time period.
The results of this investigation were noted in the article. It said that in the phakic group, the mean IOP decreased from 18.1 to 15.5 mm Hg. The mean glaucoma medication use decreased from 2.1 to 1.6 medications after 24 months of follow up. In the pseudophakic group on the other hand, the mean IOP decreased from 18.3 to 15.2 mm Hg. The mean glaucoma medication use decreased from 2.2 to 1.6 medications.
The out some of the study claims that there is no statistically significant difference between phakic and pseudophakic eyes in decreased IOP or success rates was seen at any time point.  The results also noted that there is no significant complications occurred in either group. The study conclude that selective laser trabeculoplasty is effective in lowering IOP in both phakic and pseudophakic patients. Read more on this article