Transscleral YAG laser photocoagulation for uncontrollable glaucoma in corneal patients

Control of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with severe alkaline burns is one of the most difficult problems facing the corneal specialist. Currently, when medical therapy cannot control intraocular pressure, the usual procedure of choice is cyclocryotherapy. This procedure, however, can be complicated by phthisis, retinal detachment, or macular edema. We have used transscleral YAG laser cyclophotocoagulation (TSYLC) to control the IOP in a patient with severe glaucoma after an alkali burn. This patient had previously had an unsuccessful cyclocryotherapy. After the TSYLC procedure, he suffered no complications and his IOP was normal. Our experience with this patient indicated that the TSYLC procedure might be an effective alternate to cyclocryotherapy, especially in corneal patients with uncontrollable inflammatory glaucoma.