Transscleral neodymium:YAG thermal cyclophotocoagulation in refractory glaucoma. A preliminary report.

Thirty patients treated with transscleral neodymium:YAG laser cyclophotocoagulation (TSYLC) are reported. All patients had advanced glaucoma and had previously undergone one or more surgical procedures that failed, or were unsuitable for surgery. The average preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) for the group was 43 +/- 12 mmHg. The average follow-up time was 6 months. The average energy level used was 3.8 J (range, 3.5-4.5 J). The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 20 patients in whom laser lesions were applied 3 mm from the limbus. Group 2 consisted of ten patients in whom laser lesions were applied 2 mm from the limbus. Success was defined as an IOP between 22 and 5 mmHg, regardless of the number of treatments required. The overall success rate was 86%. However, group 2 required significantly more retreatment than did group 1. Complications were moderate and transient.