Aim: To assess efficiency and safety of diode cyclophotocoagulation (CPC).
Methods: Retrospective study included 81 eyes with advanced glaucoma operated with CPC for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) from January 2017 to January 2019. CPC was performed in retrobulbar anesthesia with contact diode laser FOX (A.R.C. Laser, Germany) of wavelength 810 nm, transsclerally to the ciliary body. Energy settings: intensity 2 W, exposition time 2 s, 18 applications in arc of 360°. Decrease of intraocular pressure was investigated during month 1, 6 and 12 after CPC. Safety was evaluated according to the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on Snellen optotypes and number of postoperative complications.
Results: Study on 31 eyes of 24 patients, 21 (68 %) women and 10 (32 %) men, with follow-up during more than 12 months. Mean follow-up time was 19.5 ± 6.1 (from 12 to 29) months. Average age was 75.9 ± 9.2 (56 - 93) years. Indication for CPC was primary open angle glaucoma in 15 eyes (49 %), primary angle closure glaucoma in 6 eyes (19 %) and secondary glaucomas in 10 eyes (32 %). All patients were on therapy of 4 antiglaucomatic drops and 10 of them (32 %) on acetazolamide pills. IOP before CPC was 25.4 ± 11.0 (13–56) mm Hg. After 1 year IOP decreased to 16.9 ± 6.1 (8–40) mm Hg. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before CPC was 0.39 ± 0.34 (0-1), 1 year after CPC 0.36 ± 0.33 (0-1). 1 year after CPC, 11 eyes (35 %) lost 0.23 ± 0.14 rows. 6 from these (19 %) due to other acquired ocular pathologies. Hypotony occurred in 6 % and uveitis in 10 % eyes.
Conclusion: CPC is a safe and effective method of lowering IOP.