Long-term reduction of laser flare values after trabeculectomy but not after cyclodestructive procedures in uveitis patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine long-term changes of laser flare (LF) after trabeculectomy (TE) and transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation (TDCPC) in patients with uveitic secondary glaucoma. Retrospective, single-center analysis. Overall, 40 TE (mean follow-up 21.1months) and 68 TDCPC (mean follow-up 21.8months, P=0.38) procedures were performed. The intraocular pressure (IOP) level was consistently lower in the TE group at the preoperative visit and at each follow-up visit, while IOP reduction was similar in both groups (P=0.91). LF decreased from 59.4 photons/ms at baseline to 41.9 photons/ms in the TE group (P=0.017) and remained unchanged in the TDCPC group (71.2 vs. 70.7 photons/ms, P=0.84). No significant increase in the number of complications could be observed at the end of the postoperative follow-up, while best-corrected visual acuity drop and cataract formation was higher in the TE group. TE significantly reduced postoperative LF values. Higher LF values did not increase the development of new complications in this study, but an increased occurrence of cataract formation was seen in the TE group.