Transpupillary argon laser cyclophotocoagulation in the treatment of traumatic glaucoma.

PURPOSE: A patient with traumatic glaucoma who underwent transpupillary argon laser cyclophotocoagulation for management of uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) despite maximally tolerated medical therapy is discussed.

METHODS

In this patient, pars plana vitrectomy, lensectomy, and removal of 180 degrees of necrotic iris had been performed after a blunt trauma with a bungee cord. Six weeks after surgery, the patient presented with an IOP of 40 mmHg despite therapy with three aqueous suppressants. The patient refused further surgical intervention and opted for transpupillary argon laser cyclophotocoagulation (TALC). The laser setting was 1,000 mW, with a 50-micron spot size for 0.1 second. A total of 293 laser exposures through a Goldmann contact lens was administered to all visible ciliary processes over 180 degrees where iris structures were absent.

RESULTS

Ten weeks after TALC, the patient's IOP remained controlled with medications at 16 mmHg, and visual acuity had improved to 20/25 with an aphakic contact lens.

CONCLUSION

In selected patients whose ciliary processes are visible with indirect gonioscopy due to the defect in the iris, TALC may be an effective alternative cyclodestructive procedure to lower IOP when conventional medical or laser treatments are not successful.