Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation

Cyclodestructive procedures are generally used for refractory glaucomas. Previously it has been carried out by various methods like surgical excision of ciliary body,1 cyclodiathermy,2,3 cycloirradiation,4 cycloelectrolysis,5 cyclocryotherapy,6-9 ultrasound,10 microwave cyclodestruction,11 and currently by cyclophotocoagulation. Laser cyclophotocoagulation has now become the principal method of cyclodestrive procedures. Various lasers has been used for this purpose which includes ruby, Nd:YAG, argon, krypton and diode laser, etc. Beckman and Sugar first popularized the use of trans-scleral cycpophotocoagulation (TSCPC) by ruby laser in early 1970s.12,13 Later they discovered that Nd:YAG laser was more effective in penetrating sclera and energy absorbed by ciliary body is also optimum.13 Secondary glaucomas like postpenetrating keratoplasty glaucomas, aphakic/pseudophakic glaucomas, neovascular glaucomas and glaucoma following trauma are examples where cyclodestructive procedures are favored due to a poor response to standard filtering procedures.14-16