Effect of Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation on the Anterior Segment

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of transscleral contact diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TCDLC) on corneal topography, central corneal thickness (CCT), and anterior-chamber depth (ACD). The Orbscan II system was used to determine the changes in corneal topography, CCT, and ACD before and after TCDLC in 25 eyes of 24 patients. Mean prelaser astigmatism was 4.51 +/- 1.81, 4.64 +/- 3.47, and 5.40 +/- 3.04 D at central and 3- and 5-mm zones, respectively. Mean postlaser astigmatism was 4.54 +/- 2.59, 4.75 +/- 3.33, and 5.57 +/- 3.12 D at central and 3- and 5-mm zones at 10 days and 3.99 +/- 2.01, 4.05 +/- 2.20, 5.52 +/- 4.60 D at 1 month, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference. Prelaser CCT was 540.72 +/- 103.48 microm. Postlaser CCT was 617.08 +/- 86.35 microm at 10 days and 569.88 +/- 70.36 microm at 1 month. CCT was significantly thicker at 10 days compared with prelaser CCT, whereas CCT at 1 month was not statistically different. ACD showed a nonsignificant decrease after TCDLC from 3.77 +/- 0.81 to 3.38 +/- 0.85 mm at 10 days and 3.58 +/- 0.78 mm at 1 month. TCDLC does not alter corneal topography or ACD significantly. However, CCT increases during the 10 days after TCDLC and returns to normal at 1 month, which might be related to the inflammation induced by cyclophotocoagulation. Increased CCT may lead to artificially high intraocular pressure measurements within the first 4 weeks after surgery.