Efficacy of 180° Cyclodiode Transscleral Photocoagulation for Refractory Glaucoma

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TS-CPC) limited to 180° of ciliary body ablation in patients with various forms of refractory glaucoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty eyes with refractory glaucoma treated with 180° TS-CPC were retrospectively analyzed for intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and success rates. Patients’ age, gender, type of glaucoma, number of diode laser treatment sessions, postoperative complications, number of hypotensive medications required to control IOP, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. The criteria for success were defined as postoperative IOP <21 mmHg or >20% decrease in IOP with or without additional medical treatment. RESULTS: The mean age of all patients was 51.3±26.9 years (range,1-84 years). The mean postoperative IOP level (23.9±8.5 mmHg) was significantly lower than preoperative IOP (39.2±8.9 mmHg) (p<0.001). The success rate was 66.6% after the first laser treatment and reached 86.7% following repeat laser treatments over an average follow-up period of 22.2±19.9 months. The need for topical hypotensive medications decreased from 2.8±1.0 preoperatively to 2.4±1.3 following TS-CPC (p=0.048). Two patients (6.6%) had a one-line decrease in their BCVA following TS-CPC. Transient hypotony and hyphema developed in 4 patients (13.3%). Total laser energy delivered did not correlate with either preoperative (rho=0.10; p=0.594) or postoperative IOP (rho=0.21; p=0.260). CONCLUSION: TS-CPC limited to 180° of ciliary body ablation is associated with a reasonable success rate and low incidence of adverse effects in patients with refractory glaucoma.