Transillumination guided cyclocryotherapy in the treatment of secondary glaucoma

A consecutive series of 38 eyes of 35 glaucoma patients treated with transillumination guided cyclocryotherapy (CCT) either to obtain pain relief or to achieve IOP control was studied at Helsinki University Eye Hospital. Transillumination was used to guide the applications to the correct site. The follow-up range was 1-43 months (mean 9 months). Pretreatment IOP was 39 +/- 13 mm Hg and postoperative 26 +/- 16 mm Hg (mean +/- SD). Twenty-three eyes underwent one and 15 eyes 2-5 procedures. IOP control (IOP 9-23 mm Hg) was achieved in 50%. The response was more favorable in eyes without iris neovascularisation (59% achieved IOP control) than in eyes with neovascular glaucoma (38% achieved IOP control). The best response was achieved in eyes with chronic uveitis (5/7 eyes achieved IOP control). Repeated procedures improved the IOP control rate. Hypotony (IOP < 9 mm Hg) without clinical signs of phthisis occurred in three eyes (8%). Thirteen eyes needed primarily pain relief and 92% achieved it. Postoperatively vision was better in 8%, unchanged in 37% and worse in 55%. Visual acuity was 0.05 or better in nine eyes pretreatment and in eight eyes after treatment.