Cyclocryotherapy versus transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation for uncontrolled intraocular pressure

To compare the use of cyclocryotherapy and diode laser cyclophotocoagulation for the treatment of uncontrolled intraocular pressure.

Seventy consecutive patients (70 eyes) treated for high, unresponsive intraocular pressure during a 4-year period with cyclocryotherapy (n = 38) or diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (n = 32) with a follow-up period of at least 3 months (mean follow-up = 15.7 months) were compared for intraocular pressure, visual acuity, and complication rate.

Mean intraocular pressure was reduced from 40.9 +/- 11.9 to 20.5 +/- 10.3 mm Hg in the cyclocryotherapy group, and from 35.9 +/- 9.3 to 21.3 +/- 10.7 mm Hg in the cyclophotocoagulation group. Intraocular pressure was controlled in 60.5% and 62.5% of eyes, respectively. Deterioration in visual acuity occurred in 31.5% of the cyclocryotherapy group and 37.5% of the cyclophotocoagulation group. Severe visual loss to no light perception was noted in 6 eyes and 2 eyes, respectively, and phthisis bulbi in 2 eyes in the cyclocryotherapy group (5.2%) and 1 eye in the cyclophotocoagulation group (3.1%).

Cyclocryotherapy and diode laser cyclophotocoagulation are equally effective in decreasing intraocular pressure in patients with persistent uncontrolled glaucoma, with a lower rate of complications associated with diode laser cyclophotocoagulation.