Pathology of cyclodiode laser: a series of nine enucleated eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To study the histological effects of cyclodiode laser treatment in humans, and to compare these findings with the clinical course, treatment response, complications, and indications for enucleation.


METHODS
Detailed histological examination of nine enucleation specimens was undertaken in conjunction with a retrospective review of patient case notes.


RESULTS
Retreatments had been undertaken in three cases. Although all globes showed damage to pars plicata, intact ciliary processes within the treatment zone were present in all cases. Pars plana injury was also noted in two thirds of cases. Inflammation was mild. Ciliary epithelial proliferation was seen in most cases with increasing time following treatment, in a disorganised pattern, without replication of the ciliary epithelial bilayer. No regeneration of the ciliary processes with fibrovascular cores was found. The three patients with good IOP control at enucleation had all had multiple diode treatments. Neither phthisis nor sympathetic ophthalmia was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation produces very characteristic injury to pars plicata, which frequently extends into pars plana, but with only mild persisting inflammation. Ciliary processes are, however, frequently spared within the treatment zone and may account for early or late treatment failure.
McKelvie
P A
PA
Department of Anatomical Pathology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. mckelvpa@svhm.org.au
Walland
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000293:injuries; D015353:Eye Enucleation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007498:Iris / Q000293:injuries; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000293:injuries; D014605:Uveitis / Q000209:etiology