Micropulse Transscleral Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) as a Treatment Modality for Glaucoma Patients

Micropulse Transscleral Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) as a Treatment Modality for Glaucoma Patients

The study objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) using micropulse diode laser treatment in patients with various types of glaucoma.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a new form of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) using micropulse diode laser treatment in patients with various types of glaucoma.

In this study, 810 nm infrared diode laser radiation in the micro- pulse mode was used in conjunction with a G probe (IRIDEX Medical Instruments, Mountain View, CA, USA).

The laser settings ranged from 2000- 2500 mW of 810 nm infrared diode laser set on micro- pulse mode, delivered over 100-200 seconds (envelope of micropulses) depending on severity of the case and other patient factors. With duty cycle 31.3% (This translates to 0.5 ms "on" time and 1.1 ms "off" time), which allows the tissue to cool down between laser shots, thus greatly reducing thermal damage.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients previously diagnosed with glaucoma if they had uncontrolled Intraocular pressure despite maximal tolerated medical therapy.
• Patients who are unable to maintain compliance with the prescribed topical medications.
• Patients who need filtering glaucoma surgery for controlling Intraocular pressure but are not generally fit for the surgery.
• Patients who refused incisional procedures like subscleral trabeculectomy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who were unable to give informed consent.
• Patients who had undergone previous conventional transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC).
• Patients with significant scleral thinning defined as thinning of more than one clock hour noticed on scleral transillumination.
• Patients with ongoing ocular infection or inflammation.