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.