Complications of neodymium:YAG cyclophotocoagulation in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma

A retrospective study was performed to determine the complications that occurred after cyclophotocoagulation. The condition of 33 eyes in 25 patients was observed from 1 month to 1 year after application of cyclophotocoagulation with a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser for open-angle glaucoma. The number of treatment burns ranged from 16 to 50, and laser output energy ranged from 3 to 7 J. Complications included anterior uveitis in 14 eyes (42%), conjunctival injection in 12 eyes (36%), pain in 9 eyes (30%), and conjunctival hemorrhage in 5 eyes (15%). Corneal edema, intraocular pressure spikes, and corneal epithelial defects were each noted in three (9%) of the eyes treated, whereas cataracts developed in four (12%) of the eyes. Two eyes (6%) developed anterior segment ischemia with subsequent phthisis bulbi. Seven eyes (21 %) demonstrated no adverse reactions.