Ultrasound Cyclo-Plasty in Patients with Glaucoma: 1-Year Results from a Multicentre Prospective Study

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound cyclo-plasty (UCP) for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a multicentre prospective study conducted in 3 Italian glaucoma centres. UCP was performed by EyeOP1, which delivers ultrasound beams using 6 piezoelectric transducers activated for 4/6 s (first generation) or 8 s (second generation). Primary outcomes were the mean IOP reduction and the rates of success after 1 year. Secondary outcomes were the mean IOP reduction at each follow-up, and the reduction of the number of hypotensive medications. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In total, 49 eyes from 47 patients were treated. One year postoperatively, the mean IOP had decreased from 27.7 ± 9.2 to 19.8 ± 6.9 mm Hg (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), and the mean number of hypotensive drops and tablets had decreased from 3.2 and 0.5 to 2.3 and 0.2, respectively (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). Postoperative IOP reduction was significantly related to preoperative IOP (<i>r</i>² = 0.5034; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001). Second-generation probes determined a significantly higher IOP reduction (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). Qualified success was achieved in 25 eyes (51.1%) and complete success in 21 (42.9%), while failure was recorded in 12 (24.5%). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> UCP is safe and effective for reducing IOP. The procedure determines a greater IOP reduction in patients with higher preoperative IOP. Second-generation probes improve outcomes without detrimental effects on safety.