Effect of laser trabeculoplasty on nocturnal intraocular pressure in medically treated glaucoma patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of laser trabeculoplasty on 24-hour intraocular pressure (IOP) in a group of medically treated open-angle glaucoma patients.

Design: Prospective experimental study.

Participants: Eighteen open-angle glaucoma patients.

Methods: Laser trabeculoplasty (180 degrees ) was performed on 28 eyes of 18 glaucoma patients. Twenty-four-hour IOP data were collected in a sleep laboratory before and 45 to 80 days after the procedure. Measurements of sitting and supine IOP were taken during the 16-hour diurnal/wake period, and measurements of supine IOP were taken during the 8-hour nocturnal/sleep period in 2-hour intervals.

Main Outcome Measures: Changes in the mean, peak, and range of IOP during the office-hour, diurnal, nocturnal, and 24-hour periods.

Results: Compared with the baselines, changes in the mean, peak, and range of IOP were not significant during the office-hour period and during the diurnal period in either the sitting or the supine position. The mean, peak, and range of IOP were reduced significantly during the nocturnal period in the supine position. Mean and peak 24-hour IOP were reduced significantly in the habitual body positions (sitting during the diurnal period and supine during the nocturnal period). The reduction of mean 24-hour IOP in the supine position also was significant.

Conclusions: In this group of medically treated open-angle glaucoma patients, laser trabeculoplasty reduced IOP more consistently during the nocturnal period than during the diurnal period.