Outcomes of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in refractory glaucoma eyes

Abstract

Introduction: Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) is a new treatment for glaucoma claiming to have lower levels of complications while having comparable efficacy relative to its predecessor, traditional Transscleral Continuous-wave Cyclophotocoagulation (TC-CPC).Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of MPTSCPC in the treatment of refractory glaucoma eyes.Methods: This uncontrolled interventional study was conducted at the Northampton General Hospital, UK. Patients who were selected to undergo MP-TSCPC due to uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) or visual field progression despite maximum tolerable anti-glaucoma treatment were recruited for the study from February to September 2020. Data related to the patients were collected pre procedure and up to three months post procedure.Results: Of the 37 patients included in the study, 59.5% were females. The mean age of participants was 75.35 (SD=10.37) years. The most common types of glaucoma seen in the sample were primary open angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma with 67.6% and 16.2% respectively. Mean pretreatment IOP was 26.62 (SD=8.36) mmHg. Three-month post-treatment mean IOP of 18.47 (SD=7.92) mmHg was a statistically significant (p>0.001) reduction of 7.10 mm Hg. The drop in mean number of anti-glaucoma medications from 2.38 to 2.22 was not significant. Except for four patients with prolonged ocular inflammation and one patient with macular oedema, there were no significant complications following the procedure.Conclusion: MP-TSCPC is an effective and safe treatment option for refractory glaucoma over a 3 month follow up period. More extensive studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow up durations are recommended.