Transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation in refractory glaucoma

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TSDLC) in advanced glaucoma refractory to medical or surgical treatment. Material and Method: The data of subjects who were treated with TSDLC between 2009 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Intraocular pressure before and after treatment, visual acuity, the number of medications and complications were analysed. Success was defined as final IOP of 6-22 mmHg with or without antiglaucomatous medications. Results: Thirty seven eyes of 37 patients were included in the study. Mean age of patients and mean follow-up time were 61.73±17.13 years (range: 19-80 years) and 8.06±5.81 months (range: 3-22 months), respectively. Mean pretreatment IOP was 38.68±8.94 mmHg and IOP was 26.46±11.34 mmHg (p <0.01) at the second week, whereas it was 24.97±10.84 mmHg (p<0.01) at the last visit. IOP of less than 22 mmHg was achieved in 40.5% of eyes at the last visit. Mean treatment number per eye was 1.48±0.73, and more than one treatment was required in 13 (35.1%) eyes. Preoperative and postoperative mean total antiglaucomatous medications were 3.14±1.18 and 2.76±1.23, respectively. No phthisis bulbi or persistent hypotonia developed during the follow-up period. Discussion: TSDLC is an effective and safe method for the treatment of refractory glaucoma. It also served to reduce the number of antiglaucoma medications, thus improving both the quality of life of the patients and their compliance to therapy. © Galenos Yayinevi.