Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Slow Coagulation Transscleral versus Micropulse Cyclophotocoagulation in Refractory Glaucoma

Cyclodestructive laser technology has been developed with the aim of achieving a greater reduction in Intraocular Pressure (IOP) with minimal complication. Micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) and slow-coagulation continuous-wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (SC-TSCPC) are considered to have less complications than conventional techniques using continuous-wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation.

To compare IOP reduction and complications in refractory glaucoma after SC-TSCPC and MP-TSCPC procedures.

This study is a prospective interventional study in refractory glaucoma patients. Measurement of IOP using Goldmann applanation tonometry was performed preoperatively, and all patients were monitored at days 1, 7, and 30 in the postoperative period. Success was defined as postoperative IOP reduction of > 20% from baseline with or without glaucoma medication. Complications were identified by evaluating subjective complaints and slit lamp examination.

The study included a total of 66 eyes, with 33 eyes in each group. Baseline IOP was 50.58 ± 9.937 mmHg and 48.45 ± 12.792 mmHg in SC-TSCPC and MP-TSCPC group, respectively. The mean IOP reduction was 27.44 ± 19.96% vs 14.39 ± 23.52% (p=0.018) in day 1, 46.19 ± 27, 7 3% vs 45.83 ± 24,80% (p=0,956) in day 7 and 46.49 ± 24.63% vs 27.09 ± 23.86% in day 30 (p=0.002), in SC-TSCPC and MP-TSCPC group respectively. Complications between groups were not significantly different. However, hypotonia (IOP < 6 mmHg) was found in the SC-TSCPC group.

SC-TSCPC showed greater IOP reduction than MP-TSCPC, with no significant differences in complications between the two groups.