# Intraocular pressure changes and pain scores within 24 hours and short-term outcomes after micropulse transscleral laser therapy

## TL;DR

This study shows that micropulse transscleral laser therapy significantly lowers eye pressure quickly and has good short-term results.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on IOP changes and pain levels after MP-TLT within 24 hours and short-term outcomes.

## Key findings

- IOP significantly decreased at all time points within 24 hours, with the lowest mean value at week 1.
- The success rate was 80.6% at 12 months, with minimal complications.
- Pain scores remained low and manageable throughout the 24-hour period.

## Abstract

To assess intraocular pressure (IOP) changes and pain scores during 24 hours and short-term outcomes after micropulse transscleral laser therapy (MP-TLT).

Retrospective case series.

We reviewed eyes undergoing MP-TLT (2,000 mW; 31.3% duty cycle; 100–200 seconds) with serial IOP measurements during the first operative day, excluding those with prior cyclophotocoagulation or combined procedures. IOP and pain scores (numerical rating scale, NRS) were recorded at 1, 5, 9, 13 hours, and the following day post-procedure. Data from follow-up visits were obtained to evaluate success rates (≥30% IOP reduction or an IOP 6–18 mmHg). Mixed-effects regression and Kaplan–Meier method were used for analysis.

This study examines 46 eyes from 40 patients, 58.7% with secondary glaucoma. The mean preoperative IOP was 40.6 mmHg. The NRS was 2.3 at the end of the procedure. The mean postoperative IOP (% reduction) and NRS values were 33.9 (16.5) mmHg and 2.4 at 1 hour, 36.1 (11.1) mmHg and 2.8 at 5 hours, 32.6 (19.7) mmHg and 1.7 at 9 hours, 29.7 mmHg (26.8) and 1.2 at 13 hours, and 24.5 (39.7) mmHg and 1.0 on the following day. The IOPs were significantly lower at all time points (p < 0.05), with the lowest mean value of 16.4 mmHg at week 1. The success rate was 80.6% at 12 months. One patient developed transient hypotony maculopathy.

MP-TLT resulted in a significant IOP reduction within 24 hours, with maximal effect at 1 week, and demonstrated favorable short-term outcomes.