Efficacy and safety of micropulse vs. continuous wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in the treatment of refractory glaucoma. A randomized clinical trial.

• Grant number: 23/06219-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Ivan Maynart Tavares
• Grantee: Guilherme Vilas Boas Alves
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Refractory glaucoma is a subtype in which antiglaucomatous clinical and surgical treatments are incapable of controlling the intraocular pressure, demanding coagulation of the ciliary process through cyclodestructive procedures. The cyclophotocoagulation with continuous wave transscleral diodo laser has been the most used, however the micropulse wave diode laser, which is more recent, seems to have similar efficacy, and to be safer (fewer side effects). The main objective of this study is to prospectively compare the efficacy and safety of the continuous and micropulsed wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in refractory glaucomas. Method: randomized prospective clinical trial in which 50 eyes of 50 patients with refractory glaucoma and indication of cyclodestructive procedure will be allocated in the study group (micropulse-wave diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation - CFCmp) and the control group (continuous-wave diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation - CFC). Intraocular pressure, best corrected visual acuity, number of antiglaucomatous drugs, ocular pain and complications will be evaluated between both groups during the per- and pos-operative periods.