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Diode cyclophotocoagulation effective as primary glaucoma surgery
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ROSTOCK, Germany — Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with a diode laser may be effective in reducing intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma, researchers here found.
A study published in the August issue of Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology evaluated the clinical outcome of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with a diode laser, especially as a primary surgery, for different types of glaucoma.
Researchers retrospectively analyzed 250 procedures in 193 eyes of 145 patients, most of whom had primary open-angle or secondary glaucoma. Mean age was 63. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 to 48 months. All eyes were treated with 24 to 30 spots.
The mean IOP decreased from a mean of 25 mm Hg before the surgery to a mean of 19 mm Hg after surgery. IOP was successfully controlled (less than 22 mm Hg) in 76% of cases after either single or multiple treatments. The reduction in number and frequency of administration of glaucoma medications was also significant (P < .001).
The best results were obtained in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, in the oldest age range and in patients without any previous or subsequent glaucoma operations, researchers said.
The proportion of eyes needing multiple treatments was 21%, with an average of 1.3 treatments per eye. Complications were mostly mild uveitis. Phthisis bulbi occurred in three eyes.