Transscleral Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation Research Articles

Efficacy and Safety of Diode Laser Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Patients with Glaucoma.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) at 2 years of follow up. This is a retrospective review of the records of all adult patients who underwent their first TSCPC treatment between 2014 and 2019 at Unidade Local de Saúde de São João, Porto, Portugal. Data regarding intraocular pressure (IOP), best corrected visual acuity, number of IOP-lowering medications, use of oral acetazolamide, retreatments and complications during a 2-year period following TSCPC were registered. The primary outcome was overall success at 2 years, defined as IOP≥ 6 and ≤21 mmHg, with at least 20% IOP reduction from baseline, with or without IOP-lowering medications (qualified and complete success, respectively), without the development of phthisis bulbi or loss of light perception due to glaucoma and no further glaucoma procedures except TSCPC retreatment. Ninety-six eyes from 96 patients were included, mean age was 63 (±14) years. Mean IOP at baseline was 39.1 (±13.3) mmHg. Mean IOP reduction at 2 years was 18.5 (42.9%) mmHg (±16.0, min -16.0, max 56.0) (p < 0.001) and a significant reduction in the number of IOP-lowering medications and use of oral acetazolamide was observed. IOP reduction at 2 years was positively correlated with baseline IOP (r=0.682; p < 0.001). Overall success (including complete and qualified) was achieved in 42 patients (43.8%), with 34 (35.4%) presenting qualified success. Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) was the predominant diagnosis (n = 30, 31.3%), with a higher mean baseline IOP of 46.3 mmHg (±11.8, min 21.0, max 70.0) and a larger mean IOP reduction at 2 years of 24.7 (51.0%) mmHg (±16.4, min -2.0, max 55.0). Thirteen patients (13.5%) developed persistent hypotony, eight of which converted to phthisis bulbi, of which half had NVG. TSCPC can be an effective IOP-lowering procedure, demonstrating a stronger effect when the preoperative IOP is highest. However, there is a wide variability in the effect (specially in eyes with NVG) and some relevant complications, including 8.3% of patients developing phthisis bulbi after 2 years of follow up.

Surgical Treatment of Neovascular Glaucoma Secondary to Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in Japanese Patients without the Use of Glaucoma Drainage Devices.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate outcomes of visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)-associated neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in Japanese patients treated with surgical therapies without the use of glaucoma drainage devices. Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records was conducted for 31 consecutive PDR-associated NVG patients who underwent surgical treatments in our institution between 2013 and 2022. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, VA, and IOP were recorded at the first and last visits, and surgical procedures, including pars plana vitrectomy with extensive panretinal and ciliary photocoagulation (PPV-PRCP), diode laser trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation (DCPC), and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (TLE-MMC), with or without a prior intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection, were reviewed. Results: Of the thirty-one PDR patients with NVG, two patients received PPV-PRCP or DCPC alone (6.5%), respectively, three patients received TLE-MMC alone (9.7%), two patients received TLE-MMC after IVB (6.5%), six patients received PPV-PRCP and TLE-MMC (19.4%), seven patients received PPV-PRCP and TLE-MMC after IVB (22.6%), five patients received PPV-PRCP and DCPC and TLE-MMC (16.1%), and four patients received PPV-PRCP and DCPC and TLE-MMC after IVB (12.9%). The VA of two patients (6.5%) deteriorated to no light perception. In all patients, the mean logMAR VA was 1.28 ± 1.05 at the first visit and remained at 1.26 ± 1.08 at the last visit, with no significant change; the mean IOP was 33.0 ± 15.2 mmHg at the initial visit and decreased significantly to 14.0 ± 7.4 mmHg at the last visit. The number of eyes with IOP ≥ 21 decreased from twenty-eight (90.3%) to three (9.7%). Although IOP in patients with IOP > 30 mmHg at the initial visit reduced to a level comparable to that of patients with IOP ≤ 30 mmHg, the IOP > 30 mmHg group received IVB more frequently and had significantly higher logMAR VA at the last visit compared to the IOP ≤ 30 mmHg group. Hypotony (<6 mmHg) was observed in four eyes (12.9%). Conclusions: In PDR patients with NVG, various combinations of PPV-PRCP, DCPC, and TLE-MMC after adjunctive IVB without the use of glaucoma drainage devices lowered IOP sufficiently; for these patients, neovascular regression was observed, with no further deterioration of VA. However, surgical procedures should be performed for PDR patients with NVG before visual impairment occurs. On the other hand, approximately less than 15% of patients developed blindness or low IOP.

Efficacy of a novel low-cost torchlight transcorneal transillumination for diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in adult glaucoma.

To study the outcomes of diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) with trans-corneal transillumination using a novel low-cost torchlight method in refractory glaucoma. This prospective interventional study included patients with refractory glaucoma who underwent TSCPC with trans-corneal transillumination (TSCPC-TI) using a novel low-cost torchlight method. Patients completing a minimum 6-month follow-up were analyzed. They were compared to a historical control group of patients who underwent TSCPC without transillumination (TSCPC-No TI) at 6-month follow-up period. We analyzed the mean laser energy delivered, post-laser intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, number of antiglaucoma medications (AGM), the requirement of retreatment and complications of the procedure in both groups. 32 eyes of 29 patients comprised the TSCPC-TI group and were compared with 39 eyes of 37 patients in the TSCPC-No TI group. The TSCPC-TI group required lower energy than the TSCPC-No TI group (46.15 ± 22.8 Vs 80.65 ± 56.1 J p < 0.001). At 6-month follow-up, the TSCPC-TI group required lesser AGM for IOP control (2.33 ± 1.02 vs 3.02 ± 1.32 p = 0.01). There was a significantly reduced dependence of oral acetazolamide in the TSCPC-TI group at 6 months follow-up (15.6% vs 41% p = 0.03%). The success and response rates were 71.8% Vs 23.1%; p < 0.0001 and 87.5% Vs 51.2%; p = 0.001 significantly high in the TSCPC-TI group. The TSCPC-No TI group had a significantly high failure rate (12.5% Vs 48.2% p = 0.001). Hypotony (n = 1) and phthisis (n = 2) were noted TSCPC-No TI group. TSCPC with transillumination with a low-cost torchlight resulted in a more efficient and effective cycloablation than TSCPC without transillumination.

Comparison of GATT versus micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation combined with GATT in patients with advanced glaucoma.

To compare the efficacy of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) versus micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation(MP-TDLC) combined with GATT in the treatment of advanced glaucoma. This retrospective comparative study study included 82 patients (82 eyes) with a diagnosis of advanced glaucoma: 36 patients underwent GATT, and 46 underwent GATT + MP-TDLC. Intraocular pressure (IOP) changes in patients who underwent GATT and GATT MP-TDLC were analyzed retrospectively at regular intervals during the 6-month follow-up period. For the 82 patients included in this study, the mean ± SD IOPs before the procedures were 27.2 ± 8.5 mmHg in the GATT group and 26.6 ± 6.9 mmHg in the GATT + MP-TDLC group (p = 0.866), and the numbers of glaucoma medications used were 3.41 ± 0.5 in the GATT group and 3.36 ± 0.4 in the GATT + MP-TDLC group (p = 0.605). The mean IOP after GATT was 13.6 ± 3.9 mmHg at day 1, 13.9 ± 3.7 mmHg at week 1, 14.6 ± 4.0 mmHg at month 1, 15.3 ± 4.3 mmHg at month 3, and 14.7 ± 3.3 mmHg at month 6. In the GATT + MP-TDLC group, the postoperative day 1, week 1, month 1, month 3, and month 6 IOP values were 12.4 ± 2.5, 11.8 ± 1.8, 12.1 ± 2.0, 11.8 ± 1.09, and 11.8 ± 1.5 mmHg, respectively. GATT was found to be effective in the treatment of patients with advanced glaucoma, and results closer to the targeted low teens IOP values were obtained with GATT + MP-TDLC.

Surgical outcomes of pediatric glaucoma in Indian eyes

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of pediatric glaucoma in a cohort of Indian population. Materials and Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study including pediatric glaucoma patients who had undergone surgery between January 2012 and January 2022. The surgeries performed were trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C or Ologen, combined trabeculectomy with trabeculotomy (CTT), Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation, and diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. Success was defined as complete if intraocular pressure (IOP) was between 6 and 21 mmHg in children who were examined on slit lamp, or between 6 and 18 mmHg in patients examined under general anesthesia, in the absence of any glaucoma medication and as qualified, with glaucoma medication at the last follow-up. Outcome measures included IOP at the last follow-up, number of glaucoma medications, any complications, and additional surgeries. Results: Seventy-eight eyes of 68 children were included. The most common glaucoma types were primary congenital glaucoma (30.8%), followed by posttraumatic glaucoma (17.9%) and postvitreoretinal surgery glaucoma (16.7%). The mean IOP reduced from 34.17 ± 9.35 mmHg preoperatively to 21.38 ± 9.61 mmHg at the last follow-up (P &lt; 0.001). The number of glaucoma medications reduced from 2.55 ± 1.10 preoperatively to 1.76 ± 1.26 at the last follow-up (P &lt; 0.001). Success was achieved in 62.8% of eyes and the mean survival time was 3.62 years. Among all procedures, AGV implantation had a longer survival time (mean 4.86 years). Conclusion: Pediatric glaucoma management remains a challenge. Majority of the cases remain refractory in spite of multiple surgical interventions. AGV and CTT could be offered as primary surgery in cases of pediatric glaucoma with hazy cornea where goniotomy may not be an option.

Long-Term Results of Transscleral Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation in Glaucoma: A Real-Life Study.

Transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TDLC) is effective and safe in a large population and different types of glaucoma but is least effective in the neovascular glaucoma (NVG) group. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of TDLC in a large cohort of patients with different types of refractory glaucoma. Using patient charts, we retrospectively analyzed the success and complications of TDLC performed on eyes categorized into 6 groups: primary glaucoma (116 eyes), trauma (41 eyes), NVG (84 eyes), post-vitreoretinal surgery (post-VRS, 79 eyes), penetrating keratoplasty (47 eyes), and miscellaneous (40 eyes). Failure was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >22 mm Hg or <5 mm Hg, the need for further glaucoma surgery, and the loss of light perception during follow-up. Overall, the mean follow-up time was 33.4 ± 17.4 months, the mean total energy delivered was 109.2 ± 56.5 J, and the mean IOP reduction rate was 41.8%. Total energy delivered and IOP reduction rates were similar between the groups (all P > 0.05). The probability of success at 36 months was 71.5%, 70.7%, 55.9%, 77.2%, 72.3%, and 72.5% in primary glaucoma, trauma, NVG, post-VRS, penetrating keratoplasty, and miscellaneous groups, respectively. The NVG group showed a significantly lower success rate ( P = 0.009) than the other groups. Significant complications consisted of phthisis bulbi in 1 eye (0.2%) in the NVG group and chronic hypotony in 7 eyes (1.7%) in the NVG (3 eyes), trauma (2 eyes), post-VRS (1 eye), and primary glaucoma (1 eye) groups. Although TDLC was found to be a safe, effective method in the long term, it was least effective in eyes with NVG.

The outcomes of diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in refractory primary angle-closure glaucoma in a South Indian population.

The surgical intervention of refractory primary angle-closure glaucomas (PACGs) is a big challenge to any ophthalmologist since the efficacy of lens extraction in eyes with a long duration of angle closure is limited. Also, trabeculectomy in such eyes is not without vision-threatening complications. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) in eyes with refractory PACG. A retrospective study analyzing all patients who underwent CPC for refractory PACG in the year 2019 was conducted. Out of the 68 patients recruited, 56 PACG patients fulfilled the study criteria. The mean age of the participants was 58.5 years. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) intraocular pressure (IOP) at baseline was 38.91 (14.86) mmHg, and it ranged from 21 to 74 mmHg. Participants' mean (SD) follow-up duration was 11.87 (7.83) months. Almost 90.9% of eyes showed IOP reduction from baseline during the follow-up period. There was also a reduction in the mean antiglaucoma medications (AGM) to 2.67 (1.29) in the final follow-up visit compared to the baseline of 3.30 (0.81). Chronic hypotony was noted in four eyes, out of which phthisis bulbi occurred in one eye. Six eyes underwent additional incisional surgical procedures. The outcomes from our study support the role of transscleral diode laser CPC in the interim optimization of IOP in PACG eyes refractory to other modalities. This is emerging as a primary treatment option to optimize IOP to safer limits before any planned incisional procedure. Though complications like chronic hypotony occur as anticipated, vision-threatening complications are rare.

Efficacy and safety of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation versus cyclocryotherapy in the treatment of intractable glaucoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To perform a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) and cyclocryotherapy (CCT) in the treatment of intractable glaucoma. Systemic searches of the Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases yielded experimental and observational comparative studies. TSCPC and CCT efficacy and safety outcomes were compared. Subgroup analyses of participant ethnicity, preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) level, and underlying causes of glaucoma were conducted. The pooled effects were computed using the random-effects model. The meta-analysis included nine studies totalling 668 eyes. There was no statistically significant difference between the TSCPC and CCT groups in the IOP reduction (IOPR%), decrease in antiglaucoma medications, the operative success rate with or without medications, or retreatment rate in the efficacy analysis. In the subgroup analysis, CCT had a better IOP-lowering effect among non-Asian participants and a non-inferior IOPR% to TSCPC among Asian participants. TSCPC and CCT were associated with similar rates of deterioration in visual acuity, postoperative visual analog scale, and other analysed postoperative complications in the safety analysis. In both groups, severe complications were uncommon. Diode laser TSCPC and CCT had nearly equivalent clinical efficacy in treating intractable glaucoma, while CCT demonstrated a better IOP-lowering effect in non-Asian. Both cyclodestructive procedures have a comparable safety profile.

Diode Laser Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation With a Novel Low-Cost Torchlight Method of Trans-Corneal Transillumination in Refractory Pediatric Glaucoma.

Trans-corneal transillumination (TI) aided transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) for intraocular pressure control of refractory pediatric glaucoma was found to be effective at 1 year. To study 1-year outcomes of diode laser TSCPC with trans-corneal TI using a novel low-cost torchlight method in refractory pediatric glaucoma. This prospective interventional study included children with refractory glaucoma who underwent TSCPC with the Oculight laser system (IRIS Medical Instruments) with trans-corneal TI (TSCPC-TI) using a novel low-cost torchlight method. Children completing a minimum 1-year follow-up were analyzed. They were compared with a historical control group of children who underwent TSCPC without TI (TSCPC-No-TI) at the 1-year follow-up period. We analyzed the mean laser energy delivered, post-laser intraocular pressure reduction, number of antiglaucoma medications (AGM), the requirement of retreatment and complications of the procedure in both groups. Forty-two eyes of 35 patients comprised the TSCPC-TI group and were compared with 31 eyes of 21 patients in the TSCPC-No-TI group. The TSCPC-TI group required lower energy than the TSCPC-No-TI group (24.7±7.8 J vs. 47.2±10.9 J, P <0.0001). Mean topical antiglaucoma drug requirement decreased from 2.9±0.08 before treatment to 0.66±0.8 at the end of 1 year in TSCPC-TI and from 2.6±1.0 before treatment to 0.6±0.77 in the TSCPC-No-TI groups, respectively ( P =0.15). There was a significantly reduced dependence of oral acetazolamide in the TSCPC-TI group at 1-year follow-up [5.7% vs. 61.9%, respectively ( P <0.001%)]. No adverse event of hypotony or choroidal detachment was noted in any group. TSCPC aided by TI with a low-cost torchlight for pediatric refractory glaucoma was found to be effective at 1 year in reducing intraocular pressure and the burden of medication.

Possibilities of using regional anesthesia with diode-laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in children: description of clinical cases

BACKGROUND: Diode-laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (DLTCPC) is one of the most commonly used treatment options for intraocular pressure reduction in refractory glaucoma in adult and pediatric patients. To achieve the necessary effect, these operations often have to be repeated. Repeated general anesthesia inductions increase the risk of cognitive disorders in children and sometimes do not provide sufficient postoperative analgesia.&#x0D; OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of transscleral DLTCPC in children under regional anesthesia and identify factors predisposing to the choice of this anesthesia method.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 33 children aged 1017 years who had undergone 57 transscleral DLTCPCs in IRTC Eye Microsurgery Ekaterinburg Center between 01.09.2017 to 31.08.2022. In each case, the anesthesia method was selected individually according to the principle of reasonable sufficiency.&#x0D; RESULTS: Of 57 operations, 36 (73%) were performed under regional and 21 (37%) were under general anesthesia. Factors that favor regional anesthesia include (1) psycho-emotional maturity of the patient, (2) older age, and (3) greater number of previous operations. An algorithm for the selection of the anesthesia method is presented, as well as a plan for the conversation with the patient and his / her legal representatives. Regional anesthesia provides good intra- and postoperative anesthesia and prophylaxis of postoperative cognitive disorders in children who are emotionally stable and suitable for this type of anesthesia.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Considering the psycho-emotional features of children, general anesthesia remains the main method in ophthalmic anesthesiology. Nevertheless, following the principle of reasonable sufficiency and accounting for the short duration of DLTCPC and the large extent of general anesthesia survived by these children previously, regional anesthesia can be successfully used in a portion of these children.

Evisceration with implantation of an intrascleral silicone prosthesis in dogs: A retrospective study of 107 cases (2010-2019).

To retrospectively analyze the preoperative clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of evisceration with implantation of an intrascleral silicone prosthesis (EIISP) procedures in dogs and evaluate whether brachycephalic dogs are more prone than non-brachycephalic dogs to develop postoperative complications after EIISP. Ninety-One dogs (19 of which were brachycephalic) were included. Medical records from 2010 to 2019 were reviewed. Signalment, reason for EIISP, postoperative complications, follow-up time, and postoperative eye appearance were analyzed. The most frequently represented breeds were French Bulldog [11/91 (12%) dogs], Jack Russell Terrier [6/91 (7%)], and Shih Tzu [6/91 (7%)]. Brachycephalic dogs were statistically younger than non-brachycephalic dogs at the time of EIISP (p = 1.61 × 10-5 ). Uncontrolled glaucoma was the most common reason for EIISP in both groups. Short-term complications (from D0 to D15) seen in 7/91 (8%) dogs included epithelial corneal ulcers (n = 3), keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) (n = 2), and prosthesis extrusion (n = 2). Long-term complications seen in 26/91 (29%) dogs included KCS (n = 11), epithelial corneal ulcers (n = 7), stromal ulcers (n = 3), entropion (n = 4), and prosthesis extrusion (n = 1). Extrusion of the prosthesis occurred twice in eyes that had undergone diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. The risk of postoperative complications was not significantly different between brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic dogs (p = .3). Brachycephalic status in dogs does not appear to influence the risk of complications from EIISP. Nevertheless, the present study is a reminder that EIISP focuses on esthetics, and considering the possible complications associated with it, it does not provide a benefit to the patient compared to enucleation.

Транссклеральная диод-лазерная циклофотокоагуляция в микроимпульсном режиме у пациентов с рефрактерной глаукомой

The aim of the work was to study clinical efficacy of micropulsed transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (MTDСFC) in patients with refractory glaucoma. Material and methods. After careful standard ophthalmologic eye examination, 60 patients underwent mTDGFC to compensate the intraocular pressure (IOP) and stabilize the visual and functional indices. Results. Immediately on the next day after the procedure a brightening of the cornea and a decrease of the degree of perilymphalic congestion were observed. IOP level decreased from 42.0 ± 1.2 to 20.97 ± 1.12 in 47.6% of cases, and in a year – to 18.85 ± 0.7. In 40% of cases (n = 24) the visual acuity improved from 0.03 ± 0.01 to 0.06 ± 0.05 which was statistically significant (p &lt; 0,05). In 16.7% of cases (n = 10) there was an increase in the visual field boundaries by an average of 5 degrees. In 15 eyes (25.0%) it became possible to observe fundus. An important advantage of mTDFC was a 52.4% decrease in the number of hypotensive drugs used by the end of follow-up: from 3.0 ± 0.5 to 1.0 ± 0.5 drugs (p &lt; 0.05). In the early postoperative period subconjunctival hemorrhages in 5 (8.3%) patients, hyphema 1 mm in 1 (1,7%) patient were among the available complications; they dissolved after hematase and dexamethasone injection. Conclusions. mTDFC should be performed in patients at earlier stages of refractory glaucoma, providing compensation for varying degrees of elevated IOP. This procedure contributes to the elimination or significant reduction of pain syndrome, which preserves eye function, improves patients'quality of life, and is an alternative to laser treatment of refractory glaucoma. Keywords: refractory glaucoma, surgical treatment, laser cyclophotocoagulation, micropulse cyclophotocoagulation, transscleral cyclophotocoagulation

Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Following Transscleral Diode Cyclophotocoagulation.

Transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation may trigger the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Our article demonstrates one such case leading to tractional macula off retinal detachment in a child with aphakic glaucoma. The purpose of this article is to describe a case of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) developing subsequent to transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (cyclodiode) in a pediatric patient with aphakic glaucoma. PVR most commonly occurs following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair however, to the best of our knowledge, has never been reported to appear after cyclodiode. Retrospective evaluation of case presentation and intraoperative findings. A 13-year-old girl with aphakic glaucoma presented four months after cyclodiode of the right eye with a retrolental fibrovascular membrane and anterior PVR. The PVR extended posteriorly over the next month after which the patient developed a tractional macula off retinal detachment. Pars Plana vitrectomy was performed confirming dense anterior and posterior PVR. Review of the literature suggests an inflammatory cascade, similar to that seen in PVR development following RRD, may occur from the destruction of the ciliary body by cyclodiode. As a result, fibrous transformation may occur, likely accounting for the cause of PVR development in this case. The pathophysiology of PVR development remains unclear. This case demonstrates that PVR may occur following cyclodiode and should be considered during post-operative monitoring after this procedure.

Comparison of two protocols of diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in refractory glaucoma.

Diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (DLTSCPC) remains the most commonly used cyclodestructive procedure. Nonetheless, there is no common consensus on a standardized technique. In this prospective randomized pilot study we compare the "pop"-titrated and "slow-burn" DLTSCPC techniques for a follow-up period of 3 months. The major outcomes of this study were intraocular pressure (IOP) before and after the procedure and the incidence of adverse events. Furthermore, postoperative pain, postoperative intraocular inflammation and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were evaluated. Mean baseline IOP decreased from 37.9 ± 12.7 mmHg in the pop group and 41.2 ± 9.6 mmHg in the slow-burn group to 20.3 ± 13.9 mmHg and 21.3 ± 13.4 mmHg at the final follow-up visit, corresponding to a 45.8 ± 31.7% and 46.3 ± 32.6% reduction respectively. 64.3% and 57.1% of patients had IOP ≥6 and≤ 21 mmHg in the pop and slow-burn groups respectively. The occurrence of adverse events was similar in both groups, with 1 case of hyphema in the pop group and 2 cases in the slow-burn group, and 1 case of hypotony in each group. Mean CDVA remained unchanged until the end of follow-up from 2.05 ± 0.84 to 2.04 ± 0.8 logMAR in the pop group and from 1.93 ± 0.78 to 1.89 ± 0.7 logMAR in the slow-burn group. Nonetheless, 4 eyes in each group encountered CDVA loss. Postoperative pain and inflammation were also similar between groups. At the 3rd postoperative month, safety and efficacy was similar in the two techniques. The relative ease of the slow-burn technique may make its application more appealing to ophthalmic surgeons beyond glaucoma specialists.

Ultrasound cycloplasty: a case series examining the efficacy on a local Malaysian cohort of patients

Introduction: Ultrasound cycloplasty (UCP) is commercially available in Europe. It has been shown to have less side effects than its trans-scleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation counterpart in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in refractory glaucoma patients.&#x0D; Case presentation: This retrospective case series followed seven patients treated with UCP for refractory glaucoma at the Ophthalmology Clinic, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Patients were aged 52–80 years, with baseline IOP 14–27 mmHg. All patients received sequential activation of the transducers lasting 8 seconds. Postoperatively, patients were followed-up at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. No complications or changes in best-corrected visual acuity were recorded postoperatively. One patient underwent a trabeculectomy 3 months post-procedure, whilst the others continued regular medication. At 1-month postoperative, there was IOP reduction of 6–10 mmHg in six patients. At the 3-month follow-up, IOP returned to the preoperative levels. Conservative power and duration of the shots were used to ensure patients safety.&#x0D; Conclusion: Most studies on UCP safety and efficacy have been conducted on Caucasian populations. A longer duration of UCP may be necessary in the Asian population. Further studies are required to determine the efficacy of UCP in the Asian population.

Micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation as a treatment modality for glaucoma patients

Aim To evaluate how micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) is a safe and effective procedure, in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in different glaucoma patients among the Egyptian population. Study design Prospective, noncomparative interventional study. Patients and methods This study assessed the effect of MP-TSCPC laser on patients with different types of glaucoma. Forty eyes of 40 patients were included in our study. Patients were recruited from Benha University Hospital and Egyptian Eye Academy, and the procedure was done during the period between January 2020 and July 2021. Results The mean±SD baseline IOP was 27.72±8.6 mmHg, which showed significant reduction at postsurgical month 6, becoming 16.28±6.38 mmHg (P=0.001). The mean number of IOP-lowering agents was 2.35±1.03 preoperatively, which dropped significantly to 1.50±1.24 at 6 months. Postoperative logMAR best-corrected visual acuity was not significantly reduced from baseline. There was no development of significant postoperative complications. Conclusion MP-TSCPC is an efficient, safe, and simple technique with promising results in lowering IOP and can be used in patients with different types of glaucoma.

Comparison of Aqueous Flare Values after Micropulse Transscleral Laser Treatment and Continuous Wave Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyse the changes in flare values after Micropulse Transscleral Laser Treatment for Glaucoma (MP-TLT) in patients with refractory glaucoma and to compare with the outcomes of patients who underwent continuous wave (CW) diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (CW-TSCPC). Methods In this single-centre study, we reviewed the medical records of 54 patients who underwent MP-TLT and 35 patients who underwent CW-TSCPC at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology. Aqueous flare values were measured by laser flare photometry. Results The mean laser flare values in both groups (MP-TLT/CW-TSCPC) increased after surgery from 20.85 ± 8.74/22.14 ± 7.39 ph/ms at baseline to 48.52 ± 18.23/57.38 ± 20.08 ph/ms (P = .001) on day 1 and then progressively decreased to 44.13 ± 18.32/52.24 ± 20.56 in week 1, 40.5 ± 18.5/48.24 ± 19.23 week 2 and 35.28 ± 17.09/41.11 ± 16.7 month 1 (all p < .05) and returned to similar levels to baseline at month 3 and month 6 (both p > .05). Patients who achieved treatment success had significantly higher flare values than patients who failed on post-operative day 1, week 1 and week 2 in both groups. The flare values were significantly lower in the MP-TLT group than the CW-TSCPC group on post-operative day 1, week 1, week 2 and month 1 (all p < .05). There were no cases of prolonged post-operative inflammation or serious complications in both groups. Conclusion Intraocular inflammation, quantified by aqueous flare, may be a contributing factor to the IOP lowering effect of transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation in the early post-operative period.

COVID-19 and the Rationale for Primary Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty and Diode Laser Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Africa.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has affected ophthalmologists’ practices worldwide. Consequent global drug shortages and the limitations of medical glaucoma treatments in sub-Saharan Africa have highlighted the need for innovation in global ophthalmology to provide accessible, affordable, and effective glaucoma care. The role of lasers rather than medications for glaucoma patients in developing nations is emerging. Since lasers are easier to master than glaucoma surgery, it is pertinent to discuss the primary use of lasers in treating glaucoma in such nations. In particular, selective laser trabeculoplasty and diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation seem to present a promising future for the treatment of glaucoma in Africa. In this report, we provide an evidence-based discussion exploring the emerging role of lasers in Africa.

Low-energy transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation: is it effective?

Low-energy transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation: is it effective?

Efficacy and safety of transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation therapy in advanced glaucoma cases with good visual acuity

Efficacy and safety of transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation therapy in advanced glaucoma cases with good visual acuity