Trabeculectomy versus diode laser cyclophotocoagulation for refractory glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty

We studied the efficacy of trabeculectomy and diode laser cyclophotocoagulation for refractory glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty. The study was performed in 13 eyes of 12 patients. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 26.6±5.4 mmHg before trabeculectomy (11 eyes) and 22.5±12.0 mmHg at the last visit. IOP was controlled in only 2 eyes (18%). On the other hand the mean lOP was 28.8±9.9 mmHg before diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (8 eyes) and 18.5±8.3 mmHg with medication at the last visit. IOP was contorolled in 70% of cases 3 years after repeated cyclophotocoagulation procedures. Laser cyclophotocoagulation rarely causes severe complications and the procedure can be repeated, making cyclophotocogulation therapy relatively safe and effective to reduce lOP in eyes with refractory glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty when trabeculectomy has not been effective.