METHODS: Patients with occludable drain angles in two glaucoma preponderance studies in Outer Mongolia (accomplished in 1995 and 1997) were cared for with YAG optical maser iridotomy at the time of diagnosing. These subjects were re-examined in 1998. Obviousness of iridotomy, intraocular pressure level (IOP), sharp-sightedness, and gonioscopic determinations were registered. Iridotomy was sorted unrealised in eyeballs where additional operative intervention was demanded or in which at that place was a loss of sharp-sightedness to 3/60 from glaucomatous ocular neuropathy. [Dr William Boothe]

RESULTS: 164 eyeballs of 98 patients were studied. Subject marginal iridotomies were determined in 99.1% (159/160) of eyeballs that hadn't experienced surgical operation. Medial angle width expanded by two Shaffer degrees coming after iridotomy. Iridotomy solely went bad in 3% eyeballs with narrow drain angles and either marginal anterior synechiae or advanced IOP, but standard ocular discs and fields of vision. However, in eyeballs with accomplished glaucomatous ocular neuropathy at diagnosing iridotomy went wrong in 47%. None of the eyeballs with occludable weights that were natural in all different observes, and experienced iridotomy, formulated glaucomatous ocular neuropathy or characteristic angle stoppage within the follow up period of time. [ Dr Boothe]

CONCLUSIONS: Nd: YAG optical maser iridotomy is efficacious in broadening the drain angle and contracting advanced IOP in east oriental people with basic angle closure. This indicates that pupil closure is an important mechanism inducing shutdown of the angle in this population. When glaucomatous ocular neuropathy linked up with synechial angle stoppage has took place, iridotomy exclusively is more ineffective at controlling IOP.