MicroPulse® transscleral laser therapy in the management of glaucoma patients.

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MicroPulse® transscleral laser therapy (TLT) in the management of glaucoma patients. A prospective, interventional, non-comparative case series was conducted in the department of ophthalmology, Ain Shams University Hospital on 61 eyes of 46 patients with various glaucoma types and of severity, ranging from mild to severe. In addition to best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of glaucoma medications were recorded before and after treatment, along with the postoperative need for systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI), success rates, number of treatment sessions and postoperative complications. Success was defined as an IOP of 6-18mmHg or at least a 30% decrease from preoperative IOP in the absence of any vision-threatening complications during the 6-month follow-up period. MicroPulse TLT was performed on 61 glaucomatous eyes. Eleven of the 61 eyes (18%) that did not achieve IOP between 6-18mmHg, or at least a 30% decrease from baseline at 6 months, had a repeat MicroPulse TLT session. At 6 months follow-up post a single MicroPulse TLT session, the mean IOP reduction was 35.9±14.2%; and 6 months after the second session, it was 36.2±17.5% (p<0.001). The success rate after the first session was 73.8% which increased to 78.7% after the second session. The mean anterior chamber (AC) cell reaction was +1.9±0.8 at 1 day, +1.0±0.7 at 1 week, and +0.2±0.4 at 1 month postoperatively. No cells were detected in any of the cases at 3 and 6 months follow-up (p<0.001). The average number of anti-glaucoma eye drops before MicroPulse TLT was 2.6±1.0. Postintervention, the average number of anti-glaucoma eye drops was 1.7±1.2, and sustained at 6 months follow-up after the last treatment session (p<0.001). There were no significant complications were noted. One eye developed transient hypotony for 3 months after MicroPulse TLT. MicroPulse TLT is safe and effective in lowering IOP in a variety of glaucoma types and severity.