Efficacy and safety of ultrasound cycloplasty as the first treatment in glaucoma for eyes with functional vision - A 1-year prospective study

Sep 29, 2026

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Ultrasound cycloplasty (UCP), a non-invasive procedure used traditionally for advanced glaucoma, is evaluated as a first surgical option for moderate glaucoma patients who retain functional vision. A 1-year prospective study enrolled 117 glaucoma patients undergoing UCP as initial treatment, using intraocular pressure reduction criteria and medication use to define qualified and complete success. Qualified success reached 71.8% and complete success 27.4%, with low rates of clinically significant visual decline and no severe complications observed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Advances in Ophthalmology Practice and Research 6 (2026) 1–7 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Advances in Ophthalmology Practice and Research journal [homepage:](homepage: www.journals.elsevier.com/advances-in-ophthalmology-practice-and-research)[ www.journals.elsevier.com/advances-in-ophthalmology-practice-and-research](homepage: www.journals.elsevier.com/advances-in-ophthalmology-practice-and-research) Full Length Article Efficacy and safety of ultrasound cycloplasty as the first treatment in glaucoma for eyes with functional vision: A 1-year prospective study Dingqiao Wang a, b, d, Zhihong Huang a, d, Yanlin Lia, c, Shaoyang Zheng a, Ni Guo a, Huanyang Shia, Lin Jin a, Yixiu Lina, Jian Gea, Mingkai Lina, *, Chengguo Zuoa, ** a State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Guangzhou, China b Department of Ophthalmology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China c Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China A R T I C L E I N F O Keywords: Glaucoma Ciliary body Cyclocoagulation Ultrasound cyclo plasty Intraocular pressure Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) A B S T R A C T Objective: Ultrasound cycloplasty (UCP) is a non-invasive treatment traditionally used for advanced glaucoma. However, its potential as the first surgical option for moderate glaucoma with functional vision has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of UCP as the initial surgery for glaucoma with residual visual function. Methods: This prospective study included 117 glaucoma patients (63 males, 54 females; mean age 48.3 ± 17.2 years) with various glaucoma subtypes and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) better than 1.30 logMAR who underwent UCP as their first treatment. The primary outcomes were the surgical success rates at 12 months for both qualified and complete success. Qualified success was defined as a ≥20% reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) from baseline, IOP between 6 and 21 mmHg, and no additional glaucoma surgery, achieved with or without anti-glaucoma medication. Complete success was defined by the same criteria, but achieved without any anti-glaucoma medications. Secondary outcomes included mean IOP, BCVA, and postoperative complications. Results: The qualified success rate of UCP as the first treatment was 71.8% at 12 months, with a complete success rate (medication-free) of 27.4%. Subgroup analysis revealed that PACG had the highest qualified success rate (84.8%), followed by POAG (73.0%) and NVG (66.7%). Patients with ≤0.30 logMAR achieved the highest rate (80.0%), followed by those with 0.30-0.50 logMAR (75.0%), 0.50-1.00 logMAR (66.7%), and 1.00-1.30 logMAR (63.6%). The overall mean BCVA showed minimal change from 0.62 ± 0.42 logMAR at baseline to 0.63 ± 0.43 logMAR at 1 year. Patients experienced initial visual acuity decline in the early postoperative period, which gradually recovered after 1 week. Only 2.6%(3/117) of patients experienced a clinically significant visual decline of more than 2 lines at 12-month follow-up. No severe complications were observed. Conclusions: UCP can be an effective and safe option as the first surgical treatment for glaucoma patients with visual function. UCP significantly reduces IOP over 12 months without causing significant visual acuity decline or severe complications. 1. Introduction Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, is characterized by progressive optic nerve damage and visual field loss, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP).1,2 The primary goal of glaucoma treatment is to reduce IOP, which remains the only modifiable risk factor for disease progression.3 Conventional glaucoma filtering surgeries, such as trabeculectomy and t

FAQs

What was the objective of the study on ultrasound cycloplasty (UCP)?

To assess the effectiveness and safety of UCP as the first surgery for glaucoma patients who still have residual functional vision.

How was surgical success defined at 12 months?

Qualified success required a ≥20% IOP reduction, IOP between 6 and 21 mmHg, and no additional glaucoma surgery, with or without anti-glaucoma medication. Complete success used the same criteria but without any anti-glaucoma medications.

What were the key findings on intraocular pressure and visual acuity?

UCP produced qualified success of 71.8% at 12 months and complete (medication-free) success of 27.4%. Mean BCVA showed minimal change, with only 2.6% experiencing a clinically significant decline of more than two lines at follow-up, and no severe complications.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo