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

Abstract

Précis: Transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation is effective and safe in a large population and different types of glaucoma, but is least effective in NVG group. Purpose: We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (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 in 6 groups: primary glaucoma (116 eyes), trauma (41 eyes), neovascular glaucoma (NVG, 84 eyes), post-vitreoretinal surgery (post-VRS, 79 eyes), penetrating keratoplasty (PK, 47 eyes), and miscellaneous (40 eyes). Failure was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >22 mmHg or <5 mmHg, 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 the primary glaucoma, trauma, NVG, post-VRS, PK, 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.