Long-term Results from Cyclocryotherapy Applied to the 3O'clock and 9O'clock Positions in Blind Refractory Glaucoma Patients.
- Author:
Byoung Seon KIM
1
;
Young Jun KIM
;
Seong Wook SEO
;
Ji Myong YOO
;
Seong Jae KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Cryotherapy; Refractory glaucoma
- MeSH: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Blindness/etiology/*surgery; Cryosurgery/*methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glaucoma/complications/physiopathology/*surgery; Humans; Intraocular Pressure/*physiology; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; *Visual Acuity
- From:Korean Journal of Ophthalmology 2015;29(1):47-52
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: To report the long-term follow-up results after cyclocryotherapy, applied to the 3-o'clock and 9-o'clock positions in blind refractory glaucoma patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 19 blind patients, and a total of 20 eyes with refractory glaucoma who were treated with cyclocryotherapy. Cyclocryotherapy treatments were performed using a retinal cryoprobe. The temperature of each cyclocryotherapy spot was -80degrees C and each spot was maintained in place for 60 seconds. Six cyclocryotherapy spots were placed in each quadrant, including the 3-o'clock and 9-o'clock positions. RESULTS: The mean baseline pretreatment intraocular pressure (IOP) in all eyes was 50.9 ± 12.5 mmHg, which significantly decreased to a mean IOP at last follow-up of 14.1 ± 7.1 mmHg (p < 0.001). The mean number of antiglaucoma medications that patients were still taking at last follow-up was 0.3 ± 0.6. Devastating post-procedure phthisis occurred in only one eye. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclocryotherapy, performed at each quadrant and at the 3-o'clock and 9-o'clock position, is an effective way to lower IOP and, thus, is a reasonable treatment option for refractory glaucoma patients who experience with ocular pain and headaches.
