ABSTRACT
Partial transscleral contact cyclodestruction to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in therapy-resistant glaucomas is one of the controversial methods in ophthalmology. Cyclodiathermy and cyclocryocoagulation now belong to the past because of their severe side-effects, such as intense postoperative pain, an abrupt rise in IOP, intraocular haemorrhage and phthisis.The side-effects of Nd:YAG laser cyclophotocoagulation are similar but milder. Consequently, these methods are being replaced by contact transscleral infrared 810 nm diode laser, red 647 nm krypton and red 670 nm diode laser cyclophotocoagulation.The latter lasers are excellently absorbed by melanin pigment, which explains the good clinical results with low amounts of energy. In order to produce a similar coagulation effect in the rabbit ciliary body, only half as much energy is required with the 647 nm krypton laser as compared to the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser.The red lasers do not impair the sensitivity of the cornea, they do not injure corneal subbasal nerves and they do not change tear secretion. Diode laser equipment is not costly, mostly portable and easy to use.
