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Pneumatic trabeculoplasty a new method to treat primary open-angle glaucoma and reduce the number of concomitant medications

  • Original Article
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Annals of Ophthalmology

Abstract

Pneumatic trabeculoplasty (PNT), when used in combination with antiglaucoma medication, was evaluated in two studies: a feasibility study involving 177 patients, and a separate efficacy study involving 317 eyes. Both studies were nonblinded, single-armed, and nonrandomized; the primary efficacy end point in each study was a decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP) compared with baseline. The first study reported a mean drop in IOP of 6.3 mmHg across the entire group. The second study showed a mean IOP after PNT treatment level at least 1 mmHg less than the pretreatment mean; except at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, when it was at least 2 mmHg less than the initial mean IOP. The lesser reduction observed in the second study can be explained by the fact that a number of the patients were at least partially controlled by antiglaucoma medications at enrollment, and, as a result, the group had a lower starting IOP than those enrolled in the first study. In both studies, a clear trend to less medication was observed when PNT was added to a patient’s treatment regime. The ability of PNT to reduce IOP and medication requirements, along with its relatively benign safety profile, supports the use of PNT as part of a glaucoma patient’s treatment regimen.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA

    John T. Livecchi MD

  2. Coronado Industries in Fountain Hills, AZ

    John T. Livecchi MD

  3. Ophthalmic International in Fountain Hills, AZ

    Leo D. Bores MD

  4. University of Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico

    Guillermo Avalos Urzúa MD

Authors
  1. Guillermo Avalos Urzúa MD
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  2. Leo D. Bores MD
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  3. John T. Livecchi MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leo D. Bores MD.

Additional information

Drs. Leo D. Bores and John T. LiVecchi have stated that they do have significant financial interest or other relationship with a product manufacturer or for Ophthalmic International and (Dr. LiVecchi is Medical Director and a member of the Board of Directors of Coronado Industries). Dr. Guillermo Avalos Urzúa has no financial interest the device. The authors also do discuss the use of off-label products, which includes unlabeled, unapproved, or investigative devices.

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Urzúa, G.A., Bores, L.D. & Livecchi, J.T. Pneumatic trabeculoplasty a new method to treat primary open-angle glaucoma and reduce the number of concomitant medications. Ann Ophthalmol 37, 37–46 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1385/AO:37:1:037

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/AO:37:1:037

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