Efficacy of micropulse cyclophotocoagulation in acute angle-closure glaucoma

BACKGROUND: An improved technique of cyclophotocoagulation appeared cyclophotocoagulation in micropulse mode with splitting of the continuous stream of laser energy into short micropulse series with intervals. AIM: The aim of the study is to clinically evaluate the efficacy and the safety of micropulse cyclophotocoagulation for acute angle-closure glaucoma jugulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, 14 patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma with 37 days duration were included. The mean intraocular pressure was 35.1 2.4 mm Hg against the background of hypotensive therapy, best corrected visual acuity was from 0.005 to 0.3. All patients on admission underwent laser iridotomy, consistent peripheral colobomas of the iris were obtained. On the following day, taking into account the intraocular pressure level of 3036 mm Hg against the background of hypotensive therapy, all patients underwent micropulse cyclophotocoagulation with Cyclo G6 Glaucoma Laser System (USA). RESULTS: After surgery, there were no complications noted. The pain syndrome was completely eliminated in all patients on the first day after the procedure. Intraocular pressure decreased in average to 18.1 2.8 mm Hg. Within 318 months after micropulse cyclophotocoagulation, phacoemulsification was performed in 9 eyes. During the 2 years of the follow-up period, intraocular pressure in all eyes remained normal, from 16 to 23 mm Hg, best-corrected visual acuity varied from 0.4 to 0.9. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclophotocoagulation in micropulse mode allowed an effective and safe lowering of intraocular pressure to normal values in all eyes with acute angle-closure glaucoma; this provided pain relief and preservation of visual functions during the follow-up period up to 2 years.