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Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of single-session transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation on intraocular pressure in refractory glaucoma and to determine structural changes using ultrasound biomicroscopy.
METHODS: Forty-three eyes were evaluated. Intraocular pressures at baseline and at the first, third, and sixth months after transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation were compared. Ciliary body thickness, ciliary muscle thickness, ciliary process thickness, iris root thickness, and scleral thickness were assessed at baseline and at the third and sixth months post-treatment.
RESULTS: Reductions in intraocular pressure were significant between baseline and the first month (p=0.018), third month (p<0.001), and sixth month (p<0.001) as well as between the first and third months (p=0.034) and the first and sixth months (p=0.036). Compared with baseline, intraocular pressure reduction rates at the first, third, and sixth months were 34.6%, 56.5%, and 55.3%, respectively, while success rates were 30.2%, 62.8%, and 55.8%, respectively. Decreases in ciliary body thickness, ciliary muscle thickness, and ciliary process thickness were significant between baseline and the third month (p<0.05) and between baseline and the sixth month (p<0.05), whereas changes between the third and sixth months were not significant (p>0.05). Iris root and scleral thicknesses did not change after treatment (p>0.05). At the third and sixth months, significant positive correlations were observed between changes in intraocular pressure and changes in ciliary body thickness and ciliary process thickness (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few studies comprehensively investigating structural changes after transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation using ultrasound biomicroscopy. Moreover, the relationships between intraocular pressure changes and variations in the ciliary body, ciliary muscle, ciliary process, iris root, and scleral thicknesses were examined in detail. Single-session treatment did not affect iris root or scleral thickness but significantly reduced ciliary body, ciliary muscle, and ciliary process thicknesses. Greater reductions in ciliary body and ciliary process thickness may contribute to more pronounced intraocular pressure reduction.

Keywords: Intraocular pressure; Laser coagulation/methods; Lasers, semiconductor; Microscopy, acoustic; Glaucoma; Ciliary body

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of pre-photorefractive keratectomy Schirmer-1 test value with post-photorefractive keratectomy central corneal epithelial thickness, ocular surface disease index score, and uncorrected distance visual acuity.
METHODS: Patients were categorized according to preoperative Schirmer-1 value: the normal Schirmer Group (n=54; Schirmer-1 test value, >10 mm) and the low Schirmer Group (n=52; Schirmer-1 test value, between 6 and 10 mm). We analyzed ablation depth, visual acuity, result of Schirmer-1 test (with anesthesia), tear film break-up time, ocular surface disease index score, central corneal epithelial thickness, and spherical equivalent refraction.
RESULTS: We found significant differences between the groups in Schirmer-1 test value, tear film break-up time, and ocular surface disease index score, both preoperatively and postoperatively (p<0.001). The preoperative central corneal epithelial thicknesses of the two groups were similar (p>0.05). After photorefractive keratectomy, the Schirmer-1 test value and spherical equivalent refraction decreased in both groups (p<0.05), and ocular surface disease index scores and central corneal epithelial thickness values increased in the low Schirmer Group (p<0.001) but not in the normal Schirmer Group (p>0.05). The postoperative central corneal epithelial thicknesses of the low Schirmer Group were significantly higher than those of the normal Schirmer Group (p<0.001). Postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity did not differ significantly between the two groups (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: In patients with low Schirmer-1 test values before photorefractive keratectomy, the corneal epithelium thickened and ocular surface complaints increased during the postoperative period. However, changes in the corneal epithelium did not affect the postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity. To reduce postoperative problems on the ocular surface in these patients, we recommend that dry eye be treated before photorefractive keratectomy.

Keywords: Epithelium, corneal; Cornea; Photorefractive keratectomy; Schirmer test; Visual acuity