IRIDEX MicroPulse P3: innovative cyclophotocoagulation

Purpose: To present the new IRIDEX MicroPulse P3 (MP3) technology in patients with refractory glaucoma and our preliminary results at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively. Methods: IRIDEX MP3 laser cyclophotocoagulation was performed in 7 eyes of 7 patients under retrobulbar anaesthesia with lidocaine 2% in the operating room. Each eye received two treatments of 80-90s over the superior and inferior hemisphere, avoiding the temporal- and nasal-most clock hours. 810nm IRIDEX MP3 was set to 31,3% duty cycle (0,5ms treatment pulse followed by 1,1 ms of rest). Postoperative topical steroids were prescribed for 1 week. Results: Mean IOP decrease at 1 week was 60,3% and 33,4% at 1 month, with a mean topical hypotensive treatment reduction of 0,71 therapeutic agents. The procedure was safe in all cases and effective in 71% of the patients. Neovascular glaucoma patients registered high IOP levels 1 month postoperatively in spite of medical and MP3 laser treatment. BCVA remained unchanged after undertaking the laser procedure. No significant inflammation, discomfort, or pain was reported. There were no complications such as hypotony, phthisis bulbi, and macular edema. Conclusions: IRIDEX MP3 represents an innovation in cyclophotocoagulation. It is non-destructive, repeatable, non-invasive, with a high safety profile. A mean IOP decrease of 33,4% was registered at 1 month. Patient comfort and recovery are favorable. Long-term results will prove its efficacy in the future.