Ultrasound ciliary plasty in glaucoma treatment: A long-term follow-up study

PurposeThe present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound ciliary plasty (UCP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma for three consecutive years. MethodsSixty-one patients (62 eyes) with primary and secondary glaucoma were enrolled to undergo UCP. The primary outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, success rates, glaucoma medication use and visual acuity after UCP. An IOP reduction of 20% compared to the baseline value without re-intervention was considered a successful treatment. Complete success was defined as cessation of antiglaucoma medications. Secondary outcome measures included intraoperative and postoperative complications. Measurements were performed preoperatively and at the first week, and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months postoperatively. ResultsA total of 41 patients (41 eyes) were evaluated 36-month after UCP. The mean +/- SD values of IOP preoperatively at 1 day, 1 week, 1; 3; 6; 12; 18; 24; 30 and 36 months postoperatively were 22.7 +/- 5.0 mmHg, 17.1 +/- 4.2 mmHg (p < 0.001), 15.7 +/- 4.8 mmHg (p < 0.001), 18.8 +/- 4.8 mmHg (p < 0.001), 17.3 +/- 3.7 mmHg (p < 0.001), 16.9 +/- 3.2 mmHg (p < 0.001), 16.6 +/- 2.7 mmHg (p < 0.001), 16.3 +/- 3.0 mmHg (p < 0.001), 15.8 +/- 3.4 mmHg (p < 0.001), 15.3 +/- 2.1 mmHg (p < 0.001) and 16.3 +/- 3.0 mmHg (p < 0.001), respectively. The mean IOP at the last follow-up was reduced by 28.5%. The qualified success rate was 64.0%. All patients at 36-month follow-up visit required the use of antiglaucoma medications - none of the patients achieved complete success. The decrease in the number of antiglaucoma medications was statistically significant at each follow-up visit compared to the baseline. Choroid detachment was observed in three patients (4.8%), while macular oedema was observed in three patients (4.8%) after the procedure. No other major intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. ConclusionUltrasound ciliary plasty seems to be an effective and well-tolerated method to reduce IOP in patients with refractory glaucoma. Further studies with a larger group are needed to confirm the efficacy of this procedure.