Abstract
Purpose: :
Our experience with endoscopic diode laser cyclophotocoagulation in pediatric patients is continuing to grow. We initially started performing the procedure in 1994–95 in 10 eyes of 8 patients, many of whom were end stage eyes that had failed multiple other procedures. 6 of those eyes were aphakic. We now report the long term safety profile of this surgical technique in the initial treatment group of 10 eyes.
Methods: :
Retrospective review of 12 endoscopic diode laser cyclophotocoagulation procedures performed on 10 eyes of 8 pediatric patients. Postoperatively, patients have a minimum of 75 months of follow up to assess long–term intraocular pressure response and occurrence of any subsequent complications.
Results: :
At 110.58 ± 22.91 months of follow–up an average of 1.20 ± 0.42 endolaser treatments to a total arc of 243.00 ± 57.36 degrees of ciliary body were performed. Baseline mean pretreatment intraocular pressure was 36.10 ± 9.94 mm Hg. Final IOP was 23.30 ± 11.96 mm Hg at last follow up. None of these eyes had a total arc of treatment equaling 360 degrees. 2 eyes of different patients were retreated at least once. In the immediate post–operative period 1 eye had an episode of transient hypotony which subsequently resolved. Long term complications included progression of vision loss in 1 eye. No other long–term complications such as hypotony, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis or cataract formation occurred.
Conclusions: :
Treatment of pediatric glaucomas with endoscopic diode laser cyclophotocoagulation has shown to have a favorable safety profile compared to other forms of cyclodestruction.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • ciliary body • laser