Argon Laser Photomydriasis

Argon laser photomydriasis was used to enlarge 20 miotic pupils in 18 open-angle glaucoma patients, with beneficial visual results in patients properly selected before treatment. During eight months of observation, significant complications such as persistent iritis and lens changes did not occur. An increase in intraocular pressure occasionally occurred shortly after treatment, but chronic exacerbation of underlying glaucoma was not observed. Argon laser iris photocoagulation in rabbit eyes showed localized atrophy of the iris sphincter and stroma within the treatment zones. Discrete, anterior lens opacities occurred only at high-power levels, and these appeared to be nonprogressive during the eight-week observation period.