Short-term effect of diode laser cyclophotocoagulation on intraocular pressure: a prospective study.

Background: This aims to determine the immediate and short-term risk of intraocular pressure spikes following diode laser cyclophotocoagulation.

Design: This study is a prospective, consecutive cohort study in a UK teaching hospital.

Participants: Fifty-three consecutive patients undergoing cyclophotocoagulation were invited to participate in this study.

Methods: Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were taken immediately prior to cyclodiode laser, hourly for the first 3 h after laser, on the first and seventh postoperative days, and at three months following laser.

Main Outcome Measures: Eyes experiencing intraocular pressure elevation defined at two levels (≥3 mm Hg and ≥10 mm Hg from the pretreatment level) were identified.

Results: Seventeen eyes (34%) had an elevation in intraocular pressure (≥3 mmHg) during the first 3 h postoperatively with a mean increase of 10.3 mmHg. No preoperative or perioperative associations were found for a postcyclodiode spike within the first 3 postoperative hours.No association was found between pressure spikes and visual acuity, reduction of glaucoma medication or final postoperative intraocular pressure at 3 months. Eyes that did not have an IOP spike during the first 3 h postoperatively had a greater reduction in IOP at 3 months (15.2 mmHg vs. 10.2 mmHg; P = 0.184).

Conclusion: IOP spikes are common in the immediate period after cyclophotocoagulation. An elevation in IOP is noted after the first hour in the vast majority who experience a spike in the first 3 h post-procedure.