title: Micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation in the treatment of refractory glaucoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) is an established method of treatment for refractory glaucoma, but is associated with significant complications. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of a new form of TSCPC using micropulse diode laser and trans-pars plana treatment with a novel contact probe.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective interventional case series of 40 eyes of 38 consecutive patients with refractory glaucoma treated with micropulse TSCPC with a novel probe. Outcomes measured were success, hypotony and response rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients was 63.2 +/- 16.0 years. The mean follow-up period was 16.3 +/- 4.5 months. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) before micropulse TSCPC was 39.3 +/- 12.6 mmHg. Mean IOP decreased to 31.1 +/- 13.4 mmHg at 1 day, 28.0 +/- 12.0 mmHg at 1 week, 27.4 +/- 12.7 mmHg at 1 month, 27.1 +/- 13.6 mmHg at 3 months, 25.8 +/- 14.5 mmHg at 6 months, 26.6 +/- 14.7 mmHg at 12 months and 26.2 +/- 14.3 mmHg at 18 months (P < 0.001 at all time points). No patient had hypotony or loss of best-corrected visual acuity. The overall success rate after a mean of 1.3 treatment sessions was 72.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Micropulse TSCPC is a safe and effective method of lowering IOP in cases of refractory glaucoma and is comparable with conventional TSCPC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119074, Singapore. amwttan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Muthuraman
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chockalingam
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Aquino
authors.forename: Zena I-L
authors.initials: ZI
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jovina L-S
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: See
authors.forename: Paul Tk
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Chew
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D015355:Glaucoma, Neovascular / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods; D008028:Light Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012449:Safety; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology