AIMS: To determine the ability of cyclodiode laser treatment to relieve discomfort in painful blind glaucomatous eyes.METHODS: 30 eyes underwent cyclodiode to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) and relieve pain. Patients graded their pre-cyclodiode and post-cyclodiode pain.RESULTS: After a minimum follow up of 6 months, a single cyclodiode treatment lowered mean IOP from 51 mm Hg (95% CI plus or minus 3.7 mm Hg) to 26 mm Hg (95% CI plus or minus 5.8 mm Hg) providing pain relief in 73.3% (22/30). After retreatment of six eyes, mean IOP was reduced to 22 (95% CI plus or minus 5.3) mm Hg and pain relief was obtained in 96.7% (29/30). For eyes achieving pain relief after one treatment, IOP was reduced by >30% in 81.0% (17/21). For eyes not achieving pain relief after one treatment, IOP was reduced by >30% in only 22.2% (2/9) (p=0.0042, Fisher's exact test).CONCLUSION: Cyclodiode was highly successful in providing pain relief in painful blind hypertensive glaucomatous eyes. The best predictor of successful pain relief was IOP reduction of > 30% from baseline.
Aged Blindness