Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation in refractory glaucoma: comparison between pediatric and adult glaucomas

To evaluate the outcome of contact transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (CTDC) in eyes with advanced glaucoma and to compare the efficacy in pediatric and adult patients.

Included in the study were 41 eyes (39 patients) with advanced glaucoma (15 eyes of 13 pediatric patients and 26 eyes of 26 adult patients). The patients were followed at least for six months or until failure of the procedure, if shorter than 6 months. The mean follow-up of all patients was 10 months (median 8 months, range 3-24 months); the mean pretreatment intraocular pressure (IOP) was 34.5+/-10.9 mm Hg for all cases, 36.2+/-12.6 mm Hg in adult cases and 31.6+/-6.5 mm Hg in pediatric cases.

At last follow-up after first treatment, there was significant decrease in IOP and the mean reduction in IOP was 12.11+/-10.5 mm Hg for all eyes. The mean reduction in IOP adult (13.6+/-11.8 mm Hg) and (9.9+/-6.8 mm Hg) patients. While the success rate after the first diode laser therapy was 59%, it increased to 75% after retreatments. The most common complications were conjunctival hyperemia and anterior chamber reaction. There was no difference in the complication rate between the pediatric and adult cases.

CTDC is a safe and effective therapy in eyes with advanced refractory glaucoma in the short term. But multiple applications may be needed in the long term. The results in adult and pediatric patients were found to be similar in efficacy and safety.