Efficacy and Safety of Micropulse Transscleral Laser Therapy in Silicone Oil-induced Glaucoma

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency and safety of micropulse transscleral laser therapy (MP-TLT) in the management of silicone oil-induced glaucoma (SOG).

A prospective case series of 33 eyes with uncontrolled SOG was enrolled at the Department of Ophthalmology of Mohamed Taher Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia. Patients were treated with MP-TLT using the IRIDEX Cyclo G6 Glaucoma Laser System with the MicroPulse P3 fiberoptic handheld probe. Patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination during the 12-month follow-up period.

The study included 33 eyes of 33 patients. The mean age was 50.39 years old. We included patients with SOG. Silicone oil tamponade was indicated for complicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 22 cases, diabetic tractional retinal detachment in 10 cases, and posttraumatic retinal detachment in 1 case. Silicone oil was already removed before the procedure in 23 eyes. Silicone oil tamponade duration varied between 3 and 26 months. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements at enrollment; days 1, 7, and 15; and months 1, 3, 6, and 12 was respectively 37.94±13.61, 19.03±10.98, 16.5±6.17, 19.45±9.73, 19.27±8.33, 19.39±9.52, 19.97±10.03, and 19.7±9.58 mm Hg. The percentage of IOP lowering was 45.38% at 6 months and 45% at 12 months. The success rate was 93.93% at 6 months, remaining stable at 12 months. No major side effects were observed, in particular, no phthisis bulbi nor prolonged inflammation. There was no difference in IOP lowering between patients with silicone oil or those after silicone oil removal ( P =0.99).

MP-TLT was safe and effectively lowered IOP in uncontrolled SOG.