Cyclophotocoagulation

If we damage the gland that makes the fluid inside the eye, we can lower the pressure. This damage can be accomplished by a variety of techniques. Currently lasers are the most common instruments used to do this. Several different kinds of lasers have been used for this, and the procedure can be done by treating through the white coat (sclera) of the eye (Transcleral Cyclophotocoagulation) or by passing an instrument into the eye and treating the gland directly (Endocyclophotocoagulation).

Cyclophotocoagulation can usually be performed quickly and does not require a convalescent period as filtering surgery does. On the other hand, it is difficult to adjust the treatment to get the precise effect desired. In addition, if too much of the gland is destroyed, there may not be enough fluid made to keep the eye fully inflated. This can cause loss of vision and is irreversible. As a consequence, at the Taustine Eye Center, we choose to reserve Cyclophotocoagulation for patients where there is little hope of retaining good vision or where other, safer procedures have failed.