A modern view of cyclodestructive surgery for glaucoma

Abstract

The main purpose of glaucoma treatment is to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) to a target level. One of the pathogenetically justified method of treatment for various types of glaucoma, first of all its refractory forms, is the surgery on the ciliary body. A purpose of such manipulations is to suppress excessive formation of aqueous humor. Previously, diode laser cyclophotocoagulation was widely used, which is mainly applied in terminal glaucoma. Technological innovations have led to the development of perspective, more safe, and less destructive methods of cyclodestructive anti-glaucomatous operations, such as micro-pulse diode cyclophotocoagulation, endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation, and ultrasound cyclodestruction. During micro-pulse cyclophotocoagulation, the effect of laser energy occurs by short pulses at rest intervals, which significantly reduces the absorption of energy by surrounding tissues and their associated damage. With endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation, the epithelium of the ciliary processes is directly coagulated, which makes it possible to dose laser energy under visual control. Ultrasonic cyclodestruction causes a coagulation necrosis of the ciliary processes with a very insignificant collateral damage of surrounding tissues. Today these surgical techniques are becoming more relevant in the treatment of refractory glaucoma in order to preserve visual functions. This review is an analysis of modern literature, reflecting the efficacy and safety of cyclodestructive operations with sufficiently high visual functions.

Keywords

• refractory glaucoma
• cyclodestruction surgery
• laser cyclophotocoagulation
• micro-pulse diode cyclophotocoagulation
• endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation
• ultrasound cyclodestruction