Phakia and Prior Incisional Surgery Impact MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy for Glaucoma Outcomes: A...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Laser Therapy

Background:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Transscleral laser therapy (TLT) offers a minimally invasive treatment option for glaucoma.
• MicroPulse technology aims to improve the safety profile of TLT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of MicroPulse transscleral laser therapy (TLT) for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
• To investigate the impact of prior incisional glaucoma surgery, lens status, and visual acuity on TLT outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 33 POAG eyes treated with MicroPulse TLT.
• Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used, with defined criteria for success and failure.
• Intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and medication use were monitored.

Main Results:

• Mean survival time was 8.4 months, with longer survival in pseudophakic eyes (10.8 months) and those with prior tube shunts (10.2 months).
• IOP and medication use remained stable post-treatment.
• No significant changes in BCVA were observed in eyes with good baseline vision; no hypotony or vision loss occurred.

Conclusions:

• MicroPulse TLT is a safe and effective treatment for POAG, particularly in pseudophakic patients and those with prior tube shunt surgery.
• The number of sweeps and time post-procedure were factors influencing success.
• The therapy did not adversely affect visual acuity in eyes with good baseline vision.