Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation With the Diode Laser for Neovascular Glaucoma

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Abstract
* BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of transscleral cyclophotocoaguiation (TSCPC) using a diode laser with that of TSCPC using an Nd: YAG laser in neovascular glaucoma. * PATIENTS AND METHODS: The surgical outcome of diode laser TSCPC was retrospectively compared with that of free-running mode Nd: YAG laser (FR-YAG) TSCPC and continuo us -wave mode Nd:YAG laser (CW-YAG) TSCPC. Twenty-one eyes of 2 1 patients in the diode laser group, 9 eyes of 9 patients in the FR-YAG group, and 9 eyes of 9 patients in the CW-YAG group were treated. * RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis revealed that the probability (mean ± standard error) of successful intraocular pressure control with diode laser TSCPC at 3 years postoperatively was 47-2 ± 12.6% per operation and 55.9 ± 16.3% per eye. Compared with the CW-YAG TSCPC, the diode laser TSCPC had a significantly higher probability of success throughout the follow-up period. Diode laser TSCPC was associated with improvement or preservation of visual acuity in 16 of 21 eyes (76%), and was the best of the three laser sources. Postoperative complications were minor following diode laser TSCPC. * CONCLUSION: Diode laser TSCPC appears to be as effective as FR-YAG TSCPC and better than CWYAG TSCPC for treating neovascular glaucoma. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers 1998;29:722-727.]