Comparison of Efficacy of Micropulse and Continuous Wave Cyclophotocoagulation in Patients With Pediatric Glaucoma

Précis: Both micropulse (MP-CPC) and continuous wave (CWCPC) cyclophotocoagulation exhibited short-term effectiveness in lowering IOP, followed by reversion to near baseline levels 12 months after laser treatment. Objective: To determine and compare the effectiveness and safety of MP-CPC and CW-CPC in patients diagnosed with pediatric glaucoma. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on a total of 28 patients (81 eyes) diagnosed with pediatric glaucoma either undergoing MP-CPC or CW-CPC. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, number of glaucoma medications, and the onset of complications were collected at baseline, 1-month, 3-month, 6- month, and 12-month intervals. Success rate (SR) was defined as eyes achieving IOP ≤21 mm Hg and ≥ 5 mm Hg and a 20% reduction in IOP at the last follow-up visit. Results: All patients either undergoing MP-CPC or CW-CPC were matched for age (mean ± SD; 1.76 ± 1.69 vs 1.56 ± 2.49 y). Patients undergoing MP-CPC had significant decreases in IOP from baseline IOP at 1, 3, and 6 months with a 22% SR at 12 months. CW-CPC had a significant decrease in IOP from baseline IOP at all follow-ups, with a 27% SR at 12 months. At the 12-month followup, the CW-CPC cohort exhibited a significantly larger overall drop in IOP when compared with the MP-CPC cohort, (7.99 ± 7.95 vs 1.78 ± 6.89, P < 0.05); however, the difference in SR between treatment groups (27% vs 22%) at 12 months was not significant (P > 0.05). Complications were minimal for both groups. Conclusion: Both MP-CPC and CW-CPC exhibited short-term effectiveness in lowering IOP, followed by reversion to near baseline levels 12 months after laser treatment. Both MP-CPC and CW-CPC exhibited similar SR at 12 months, 22% and 27% respectively.