Medium-term Outcomes of Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Refractory Glaucoma.

Abstract

Aim: To describe our first experience with the efficacy of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) procedure in the treatment of different glaucoma subtypes refractory to topical medication using a standard protocol.

Materials and methods: Retrospective, interventional study in a series of 35 eyes of 34 patients with refractory glaucoma who underwent MP-TSCPC. Treatment success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction of at least 20% compared to baseline with or without IOP-lowering medication or eventual retreatment.

Results: Mean age was 78.0 years. The glaucoma subtypes included pseudoexfoliative (PSXG) (16), neovascular (NVG) (9), primary open-angle (POAG) (7), congenital (1), aphakic (1), and secondary glaucoma (1). The mean preoperative IOP was 31.8 ± 10.5 mm Hg and at month 12 was 21.9 ± 10.6 mm Hg (p < 0.05). The average baseline number of glaucoma medications pretreatment was 3.0 ± 1.0 and at month 12 was 2.3 ± 1.2 (p = 0.114). At month 12, success was achieved in 15 eyes (42.9%) with an IOP-lowering effect of 31.1%. PSXG was correlated with IOP reduction (p = 0.037) and had a higher likelihood of success (p = 0.031). As complications, there was one case of prolonged hypotony and another case of developed postoperative neurotrophic keratopathy.

Conclusion: Using our standardized protocol, MP-TSCPC seems a safe and relatively effective treatment in the medium-term for refractory glaucoma, achieving good results in PSXG.

Clinical significance: There are few studies published about MP-TSCPC. The results of our study contribute to expanding on the short evidence reported at present, emphasizing our considerable percentage of PSGX.

How to cite this article: Valle IT, Bazarra SP, Taboas MF, et al. Medium-term Outcomes of Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Refractory Glaucoma. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2022;16(2):91-95.