Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation: Our Experience
Traditionally, ciliary body destruction has been used to treat
uncontrolled intraocular pressure following maximally tolerable medical therapy.
This is due to the large number of complications seen with this procedure.
However, recently a new technique of sub-threshold laser or micropulse laser,
is able to provide selective destruction of the ciliary body in a controlled manner.
This avoids most of the complications seen with other modalities.
We have performed a small case descriptive pilot study to assess the
effectiveness of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in lowering IOP.
This pilot study was conducted on four patients in the age range 55-70-years
with intractable glaucoma. Two patients had primary angle closure glaucoma,
one-each had steroid-induced glaucoma and neovascular glaucoma.
Mean baseline IOP was 32±2.4 mmHg. Mean number of glaucoma medications
were 2.5±1.5. All patients underwent 180° MP-TSCPC. Absolute success was
defined as IOP<20 mmHg without acetazolamide.
Following the procedure the patients were followed-up at days 1,7,30 and 90.
At the last follow-up of the study, mean IOP was 18.2±1.2 mmHg in all four patients.
Mild anterior chamber inflammation was the only complication noted.
Mean number of glaucoma medications reduced to 1.5±1.0 following the procedure.
More extensive and long-term studies will clarify the position
of this procedure in our glaucoma management practices.
Ophthalmol Open J. 2020; 4(1): 1-4. doi: 10.17140/OOJ-4-120
