Ultrasound cyclo plasty in advanced glaucoma: Intermediate-term success, predictors for failure and complications

Purpose To report the intermediate-term success rate of ultrasound cyclo plasty (UCP), predictors for failure and complications in advanced glaucoma. Methods This study included patients with advanced glaucoma who underwent UCP. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma medications, and the presence of complications. Success was defined as an IOP reduction ≥30% and IOP between 6 mmHg and 18 mmHg with no vision-threatening complications. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to identify possible predictors for failure. Results We included 65 eyes of 58 patients in the study. The mean IOP and number of antiglaucoma medications decreased significantly from 27.60 ± 5.5 mmHg and 3.40 ± 0.9 at baseline to 17.80 ± 8.0 mmHg (35.51% reduction) and 2.43 ± 1.3 at 12 months and 17.10 ± 8.2 mmHg (38.04% reduction) and 2.41 ± 1.5 at 24 months, respectively ( p < 0.01 for both). The success rates were 66.2% (43/65) and 72.4% (21/29), while the failure rates were 33.8% (22/65) and 27.6% (8/29) at 12 and 24 months postoperatively, respectively. The cumulative probabilities of overall success were 67.7 ± 5.8% and 33.8 ± 5.9% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. High baseline IOP and history of old glaucoma surgery were associated with a higher risk for failure (Hazard ratio = 1.10 and 5.82, p = 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively). The most common complications were anterior chamber reaction (18.5%) and cataract development/progression (15.4%). Two eyes (3.1%) developed phthisis bulbi. Conclusions Although UCP is effective in lowering IOP in eyes with advanced glaucoma, the intermediate-term success rates were moderate.