TRANSSCLERAL CYCLOPHOTOCOAGULATION WITH THE DIODE-LASER FOR NEOVASCULAR GLAUCOMA

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of transscleral cyclo photocoagulation (TSCPC) using a diode laser with that of TSCPC using an Nd:YAG laser in neovascular glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sur gical outcome of diode laser TSCPC was retrospectively compared with t hat of free-running mode Nd:YAG laser (FR-YAG) TSCPC and continuous-wa ve mode Nd:YAG laser (CW-YAG) TSCPC. Twenty-one eyes of 21 patients in the diode laser group, 3 eyes of 3 patients in the FR-YAG group, and 9 eyes of 9 patients in the CW-YAG group were treated. RESULTS: The Ka plan-Meier life-table analysis revealed that the probability (mean I s tandard error) of successful intraocular pressure control with diode l aser 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 through out the follow-up period. Diode laser TSCPC was associated with improv ement 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 appe ars to be as effective as FR-YAG TSCPC and better than CW-YAG TSCPC fo r treating neovascular glaucoma.