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

J Glaucoma. 2024 Jun 1;33(6):437-443. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000002346. Epub 2023 Dec 21.

Abstract

Prcis: 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.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of TDLC in a large cohort of patients with different types of refractory glaucoma.

Patients and methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: Although TDLC was found to be a safe, effective method in the long term, it was least effective in eyes with NVG.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ciliary Body* / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glaucoma* / physiopathology
  • Glaucoma* / surgery
  • Glaucoma, Neovascular / physiopathology
  • Glaucoma, Neovascular / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure* / physiology
  • Laser Coagulation* / methods
  • Lasers, Semiconductor* / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sclera* / surgery
  • Tonometry, Ocular
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity* / physiology
  • Young Adult