Case report: Topical pilocarpine ameliorated the accommodation loss and pupillary dilation after micropulse transscleral laser treatment

Abstract

Abstract Background The present study elucidates a common significant postoperative complication of micropulse transscleral laser treatment (mTLT) and explores its potential management strategies for younger patients with good central vision. Case presentation Three younger Chinese glaucoma patients with good central vision maintained high intraocular pressures (IOPs) (36, 25, and 30 mmHg) on maximally tolerated topical anti-glaucoma medications. All patients were treated with mTLT because of a higher risk of complications with filtering surgery. After the procedure, their best-corrected visual acuities were not significantly changed, IOPs were significantly decreased, and the number of topical anti-glaucoma medicines was gradually decreased. However, all patients complained about reduced near visual acuity (NVA) for 1–5 months. Slit-lamp examination revealed pupillary dilation, and binocular accommodative function examination indicated accommodation loss. After treatment with 2% topical pilocarpine, all patients reported an improvement in NVA. Among them, we could observe pupillary constriction, recovery of accommodation function, and improved NVA, even discontinuation of pilocarpine in Patient 2. Conclusion In younger patients with good central vision, topical pilocarpine might ameliorate accommodation loss and pupillary dilation after mTLT.

Keywords

• Micropulse transscleral laser treatment
• Pilocarpine
• Accommodation loss
• Pupillary dilation