Endoscopic laser coagulation of the ciliary processes in patients with severe chronic glaucoma.

Abstract

To investigate the effect of endoscopic laser coagulation on the ciliary processes in order to control intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with severe chronic glaucoma. 6 eyes (5 pseudophakic, 1 phakic) of 5 patients (mean age 60 years, range 46 - 70) were treated. Glaucoma was related to previous detachment surgery (patients 1), panuveitis (patient 2), iris dystrophy (patient 3), or neovascularization (patient 4: central venous occlusion; patient 5: proliferative diabetic retinopathy). Preoperatively, all patients had not responded to intensive glaucomatous topical and systemic treatment (mean 4.2 drugs, range 3 - 5). Trabeculectomy has been unsuccessfully performed in patients 2 and 3. After pars plana vitrectomy, the ciliary processes were coagulated under endoscopic view over 180 - 270 degrees using endolaser (argon green with spots of 300 - 500 mW for 0.4 - 0.5 s). Patient 5 was treated in both eyes. The mean preoperative IOP was 39 mm Hg (range 32 - 47). The mean postoperative follow-up was 339 days (range 125 - 485). The postoperative IOP was over 1 year under 21 mm Hg in patient 1 with one topical drug, and in patients 2 and 3 without any further treatment. Patient 4 needed trabeculectomy and one topical drug to control IOP. The IOP was not controlled in patient 5 with the shortest follow-up despite additional topical treatment. No serious treatment-related complication was noted. Endoscopic laser coagulation allows a precise destruction of the ciliary processes, and permits a better control of IOP in certain cases of severe chronic glaucoma. Further investigations are necessary to better evaluate this therapy.