Reconditioning of the trabeculo-descemet's membrane with the 532-nm Nd: YAG (SLT) laser after deep sclerectomy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of modified goniopuncture with the 532-nm Nd: YAG selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) laser on eyes after deep sclerectomy with collagen implant (DSCI). This was an interventional cased series. The effects of modified goniopuncture on eyes with insufficient IOP-lowering after DSCI were observed. Goniopuncture was performed using a Q-switched, frequency-doubled 532-nm Nd: YAG laser (SLT-goniopuncture, SLT-G). Outcome measures were amount of IOP-lowering and rapidity of decrease after laser intervention. In all, 10 eyes of 10 patients with a mean age of 71.0±7.7 (SD) years were treated with SLT-G. The mean time of SLT-G after DSCI procedure was 7.1±10.9 months. SLT-G decreased IOP from an average of 16.1±3.4mmHg to 14.2± 2.8mmHg (after 15 min), 13.6±3.9mmHg (at 1 day), 12.5±4.1mmHg (at 1 month), and 12.6±2.5 (at 6 months) (P<0.0125). There were no complications related to the intervention. Patients in this series achieved an average 22.5% of IOP reduction after SLT-G. The use of the SLT laser appears to be an effective and safe alternative to the traditional Nd: YAG laser for goniopuncture in eyes after DSCI, with potential advantages related to nonperforation of trabeculo-descemet's membrane (TDM). © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.