Topical Anesthesia Offers Sufficient Pain Control for MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy for Glaucoma

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient pain during and after MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy (TLT) and vision-related quality of life using two different anesthesia protocols: “Topical Plus” anesthesia without standby anesthesia (study group), and analgosedation with standby anesthesia (control group). METHODS: A retrospective, comparative chart review was conducted to evaluate patient pain between the two groups based on an analog pain scale at baseline and postoperatively (1 hour, 6 hours, 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month). Furthermore, vision-related quality of life at baseline was compared at 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Four eyes underwent MicroPulse TLT under Topical Plus anesthesia and 4 eyes underwent analgosedation. The mean age at the time of the MicroPulse TLT was 78.3 ± 6.4 years. In the study group, the reported pain level increased significantly immediately after the treatment (from 0.5 to 2.8, p=0.003; mild pain); however, no difference was found at any later time point compared to baseline. The vision-related quality of life was similar in both groups and was not negatively impacted by the MicroPulse TLT at 1 month after the treatment. Discussion/Conclusion. The Topical Plus anesthesia protocol provides adequate pain control for the patient to remain comfortable during and post-MicroPulse TLT treatment, with no changes in vision-related quality of life. Although the sample size was small and, thus, the results cannot be generalized, this case series showed that it is possible to perform MicroPulse TLT under topical anesthesia.