Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with the diode laser for neovascular glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcome of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) using a diode laser with that of TSCPC using an Nd:YAG laser in neovascular glaucoma.


METHODS
The surgical outcome of diode laser TSCPC was retrospectively compared with that of free-running mode Nd:YAG laser (FR-YAG) TSCPC and continuous-wave mode Nd:YAG laser (CW-YAG) TSCPC. Twenty-one eyes of 21 patients in the diode laser group, 9 eyes of 9 patients in the FR-YAG group, and 9 eyes of 9 patients in the CW-YAG group were treated.


RESULTS
The Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis revealed that the probability (mean +/- standard error) of successful intraocular pressure control with diode laser TSCPC at 3 years postoperatively was 47.2 +/- 12.6% per operation and 55.9 +/- 16.3% per eye. Compared with the CW-YAG TSCPC, the diode laser TSCPC had a significantly higher probability of success throughout the follow-up period. Diode laser TSCPC was associated with improvements or preservation of visual acuity in 16 of 21 eyes (76%), and was the best of the three laser sources. Postoperative complications were minor following diode laser TSCPC.


CONCLUSIONS
Diode laser TSCPC appears to be as effective as FR-YAG TSCPC and better than CW-YAG TSCPC for treating neovascular glaucoma.
Oguri
A
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan.
Takahashi
E
E
Tomita
G
G
Yamamoto
T
T
Jikihara
S
S
Kitazawa
Y
Y
D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015355:Glaucoma, Neovascular / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity