Results of CO2 laser-assisted sclerotomy surgery (CLASS procedures) in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery (CLASS) in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) showing progression in spite of maximal local antiglaucomatous therapy. Patients with progressive POAG received CLASS treatment. We performed CLASS on 15 eyes (eight males and seven females). The primary endpoint was the change in the intraocular pressure (IOP), and additionally best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), C/D ratio (cup-to-disc), as well as use of antiglaucomatous drops were also investigated. Following the preoperative assessment, measurements were performed at 6-month follow-up. The average preoperative IOP was 26.13 ± 6.79 mmHg that dropped to 9.57 ± 4.09 mmHg at 1 day. IOP was stable at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The BSCVA decreased to the 1-day and 1-week follow-up but returned to its original value to the 1-month check-up. Preoperatively, all patients were on maximal antiglaucoma drop therapy, after CLASS none of the patients needed antiglaucomatous treatment at 1 month. However, at 3 months, one of them needed antiglaucoma drops. C/D ratio showed non-significant changes. CLASS procedure was found to be effective in decreasing IOP in POAG patients whose IOP was not compensated with maximal antiglaucomatous local therapy; patients needed significantly less local therapy following the CO2 laser surgery.