Cyclodiode Laser as the First Surgical Approach in Childhood Glaucoma Under the Age of 8 Years

Cyclodiode as a primary treatment for childhood glaucoma patients younger than 8 years has a 12-month success rate of 55.24%. It can delay the need for penetrating glaucoma surgery.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcome of cyclodiode laser in childhood glaucoma for patients under the age of 8 years.

This was a retrospective, consecutive, noncomparative case series.

All childhood glaucoma patients who underwent cyclodiode from March 2005 to January 2017 as a primary surgical treatment under the age of 8 years.

A retrospective review of the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent cyclodiode by a single surgeon.

Success for single-diode intervention was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) (>6 wk postoperative) ≤21 mm Hg with antiglaucoma medications and ≥20% IOP reduction, no further glaucoma surgery including cyclodiode, no loss of perception of light, and no major complications. Success for multiple-diode interventions was defined similar to the single diode, except that repeated cyclodiode is not considered a failure.

In all, 59 eyes of 43 patients were studied. The most common diagnosis was aphakic glaucoma. The mean age at cyclodiode treatment was 2.7 years (SD=2.2). Fifty-six percent of the patients were under 3 years. Success rates at 12 months after the procedure were 46.67% and 55.24% for single-diode and multiple-diode interventions, respectively. An IOP of >20 mm Hg 6 weeks after a cyclodiode session is a significant risk factor for failure with an hazard ratio of 2.41 (95% confidence interval: 1.00-5.81; P=0.05). Among the operated eyes, the surgeon could avoid further glaucoma surgery in 67.8% of the eyes during the first year after single or multiple cyclodiode sessions. None of the eyes experienced phthisis bulbi, hypotony, and severe uveitis.

Cyclodiode laser in childhood glaucoma patients under the age of 8 years can be considered a safe alternative for glaucoma patients who can have a high risk of surgical complications. Performing cyclodiode laser can delay the need for penetrating glaucoma surgery. The IOP at 6 weeks may be a good predictor for the treatment outcome.