Micropulse Cyclophotocoagulation Results – A 12 Month Retrospective Study

There have been many new developments in the area of non-invasive laser therapy in recent years, particularly in the area of cyclophotocoagulation. Conventional transscleral cyclophotocoagulation has been proven successful over the years, but has also resulted in serious side effects such as irreversible hypotension. From this, micropulsed transcleral cyclophotocoagulation (mtCPC) was developed. During the procedure, laser energy is not delivered constantly, but rather at intervals. The study was designed to access the efficacy of this procedure and the postoperative intraocular pressure values over the course of 12 months.

Charlottenklinik, Stuttgart, Germany

The retrospective data collection took place between May 2020 and April 2021 for all patients who were treated at least once in at least one eye with mtCPC in our institution. Inclusion criteria were a minimum age of 18 years, the presence of glaucoma and the performance of mtCPC. After written consent from the patients and data analysis, 34 eyes were included in the study presented here. The study was retrospective and monocentric over 12 months.

The patient population in this study had an average age of 72 years (SD ± 15 years), of which 68% were male study participants. Overall, 82% of eyes were pseudophakic. The etiology was primary open-angle glaucoma in 53%, PEX glaucoma in 26%, and secondary glaucoma in 18% of patients. The preoperative intraocular pressure values compared to the values collected at different points in time after mtCPC show a significant reduction in pressure. Notable is a reduction of the intraocular pressure of 45%, demonstrated by opposing the pre- and the one-year postoperative values.

Due to the long observation period, the study presented can provide a good overview of the effectiveness of mtCPC in advanced glaucoma. On average, we saw a sufficient reduction in pressure and a reduction in the necessary antiglaucoma therapy within the first year after mtCPC. As our results show mtCPC is a good non-invasive treatment option for advanced glaucoma.