Success Rate in Micropulse Diode Laser Treatment in Regards to the Phakic Versus Non-phakic Status, as Well as Refractive Errors and Glaucoma Subtypes

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the efficiency of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) considering different characteristics: lens status, spherical equivalent (SE), and glaucoma sub-types. Methods. A retrospective case-series study was designed to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP), and the number of IOP lowering medications, used by glaucoma patients treated with MP-TSCPC between 2016 and 2019. Cases had a follow-up period of 12 months and 24 months. Achieving an IOP reduction higher than 20%, or the decrease of at least one IOP lowering medication, was considered a successful outcome. The same population was analyzed by classifying them in three groups according to certain characteristics: lens status, refractive errors (calculated according to their SE), glaucoma sub-types. Results. A total of 86 eyes were included. In most cases, IOP and IOP lowering medications were decreased with a statistically significant difference (P<0.0001), and all of them had a successful outcome. The percentage of IOP drop oscillated between 15.5% (open angle glaucoma sub-groups), and 41.5% (pseudoexfoliative glaucoma sub-groups), 24 months after surgery. The Person’s coefficient obtained was low for the SE and IOP association, at both the 12 and the 24-month postoperative mark (-0.009 and 0.08, respectively). Conclusions. The MP-TSCPC treatment was successful in decreasing IOP and IOP lowering medications, with similar efficacy between phakic and pseudophakic eyes. The higher effect was observed in the pseudoexfoliative glaucoma. No association was found between the SE and the IOP drop after MS-TSCPC treatment.