Medical Journal

of Vol. 30 No. 2
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Summer 2008

Cyclocryotherapy Versus Transscleral Diode Laser

Cyclophotocoagulation for Uncontrolled Intraocular Pressure
ALIPANAHI R, MD: Associate Professor of Ophthalmology (Corresponding author)
E-mail: ralipanahi@yahoo.com
MOSTAFAIE A MD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
SORKHABI R MD Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
SAYYAH MELLI S, MD: Neurosurgery resident
GHOJA ZADEH M, MD: Physiologist

Department of Ophthalmology, Nikookari Eye Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives: Refractory glaucoma is characterized by pain and medically

uncontrolled intraocular pressure. To compare the effectiveness and safety of cyclocryotherapy
and diode transscleral cyclophotocoagulation(TSCPC) in refractory glaucoma.
Materials and Methods: This clinical trial have been carried out in 100 eyes (100 patients)
with refractory glaucoma randomly treated with either cyclocryotherapy (I group) or diode
transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (II group). Only Eighty –eight patients after 6 months
examined in follow up periods. Intraocular pressure, corrected visual acuity, and complications
was assessed in the early and late postoperative period. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 11
months, mean 34.6±9.5 weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 14 and chi-squared
testing was used for categorical variables and a non-paired t -test for Continuous variables.
Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in intraocular pressure after both
cyclocryotherapy and diode transscleral cyclophotocoagulation at each time period. Before
treatment IOP mean 45.82 ± 9.19 mmHg in the I group and mean 48.4±12.59 mmHg in the II
group. There were no significant differences in postoperative visual acuity change in
cyclocryotherapy. After TSCPC visual function increased in 27.2 % of eyes (0.0005). After
cyclocryotherapy only conjunctival oedema was observed in majority of cases. In the early
postoperative period after TSCPC uveitis occurred in 2 eyes (4.2%), transient hypotony in 1
eyes, hyphaema in one eye.
Conclusion: Diode cyclophotocoagulation decreases IOP more effective than
cyclocryotherapy in refractory glaucoma but complications after TSCPC are more severe than
after cyclocryotherapy.

Key word: Refractory glaucoma, Diod Laser , Cyclocryotherapy, Cyclophotocoagulation

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