Baseline risk factors lower glaucoma surgery success rates

Washington, DC-Ten-year data from the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) show that 60% to 70% of patients initially treated with argon laser trabeculoplasty or trabeculectomy fared well with these treatments. In the 30% to 40% of remaining patients, however, treatment failed to maintain visual field and visual acuity. Baseline risk factors for loss of visual field included worse visual acuity, male gender, and the presence of diabetes mellitus.