title: CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery, part II: multicenter clinical preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery (CLASS) in primary and pseudoexfoliative open-angle glaucoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients for primary filtration surgery underwent CLASS with a CO2 laser system (OT-134-IOPtiMate, IOPtima Ltd., Ramat Gan, Israel). This self-controlled system gradually ablates and removes scleral layers until percolating fluid absorbs the energy, attenuating further tissue ablation. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at baseline, 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Complete success was defined as 5≤IOP≤18 mm Hg and 20% IOP reduction with no medication at a 12-month endpoint visit, and qualified success as the same IOP range with or without medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty of 37 patients completed 12 months of follow-up. Mitomycin C was used in 25 procedures (83.3%). The mean baseline IOP of 26.3±7.8 mm Hg (mean±SD) dropped to 14.4±3.4 and 14.3±3.1 mm Hg at 6 and 12 months, respectively, with 42.4% and 40.7% IOP reduction at 6 and 12 months, respectively (P<0.001). Complete success was achieved by 76.7% and 60% of the patients at 6 and 12 months, respectively, whereas qualified success was achieved by 83.3% and 86.6% of the patients at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Complications were mild and transitory with no sequela.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term and intermediate results suggest that CLASS may become a simple, safe, and effective means of choice for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel.
authors.forename: Noa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Geffen
authors.forename: Yokrat
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ton
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Degani
authors.forename: Ehud I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Assia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D018463:Filtering Surgery; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012599:Sclerostomy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000477:Alkylating Agents; D016685:Mitomycin