Long-term efficacy of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation in the management of glaucoma following cataract surgery in children

PURPOSE To report the long-term efficacy of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) in pediatric glaucoma following cataract surgery (GFCS). METHODS ECP was performed on 35 eyes of 25 patients <16 years of age with GFCS. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years. Treatment failure was defined as consecutive postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of >24 mm Hg, alternative glaucoma procedure following ECP, or occurrence of visually significant complications. Analysis was performed to estimate risk factors for failure. RESULTS A total of 27 aphakic and 8 pseudophakic eyes were included. Pretreatment IOP averaged 33.9 +/- 7.9 mm Hg. Final IOP after a mean follow-up period of 7.2 years was 18.9 +/- 8.8 mm Hg (P < 0.001). The success rate was 54% (19/35 eyes). The failure rate was not increased in pseudophakic patients relative to aphakic patients. Patients with single ECP demonstrated preserved visual acuity from baseline to final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS In this patient cohort, with average follow-up period of 7.2 years, ECP was useful in the treatment of pediatric GFCS.