title: Low-dose transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) as a potential single treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in Malawi?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate if low-dose 810 nm transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) can be used as single treatment in Malawian glaucoma patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-seven eyes of 28 patients with primary open-angle and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma were treated with TSCPC using 12 spots with 900 mW, 2,000 ms (1.8 J per spot); six spots in the upper half, six in the lower by sparing the 3 and 9 o'clock positions ±20°. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and uncorrected visual acuity (UVA) were measured by an independent examiner preoperatively, on the first postoperative day, after 2 weeks, and after 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four (86%) and 18 (64%) of 28 patients (31 of 47 eyes; 66%) completed follow-up at 2 weeks and at 3 months respectively. After a single treatment session, IOP decreased by at least 25 % in 88% (21 of 24) after 2 weeks, and in 50% (nine of 18) of patients after 3 months. Mean IOP was 38.5 mmHg before TSCPC, 23.5 mmHg (p < 0.001) after 1 day, 24.5 mmHg (p < 0.001) after 2 weeks, and 35.6 mmHg (p = 0.37) after 3 months. In three patients, however, IOP increased after 3 months to levels significantly higher than before TSCPC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-dose TSCPC caused a significant IOP lowering for up to 2 weeks (15 mmHg less from baseline) in most patients. After 3 months, this effect was stable in 50% of patients; in the other half, IOP nearly returned back to baseline.
authors: University Eye Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany, mssoculus@web.de.
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Schulze Schwering
authors: Petros
authors: P
authors: Kayange
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Klauss
authors: Khumbo
authors: K
authors: Kalua
authors: Martin S
authors: MS
authors: Spitzer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012590:Sclera; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
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