Micropulse laser trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation (MPTCP) is a laser treatment used to treat elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma.
The ciliary processes behind the iris continuously produce fluid through the day and night to nourish the tissues of the eye and maintain eye pressure. MPTCP uses lower energy laser pulses to target the ciliary processes so that they will produce less fluid. This will result in a reduction of eye pressure.
This laser is performed as a day surgery procedure in the hospital operating theatre. Patients will receive local anaesthesia to numb the eye as well as sedative medication into the blood circulation so that they will be comfortable during the laser. It takes 10-15 minutes to complete and patients will stay in hospital for about 2 hours till they recover.
Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days after MPTCP but will need to continue the use of glaucoma eyedrops.
As the laser used is of lower energy than conventional laser TCP, the eye pressure reduction is less than conventional laser TCP. However, the advantages of MPTCP over conventional laser TCP are:
- Less post-operative inflammation
- Less post-operative pain and discomfort
- Faster recovery
- It can be safely repeated with less risk of complications
