AIM: To compare the therapeutic effects of high-intensity focused ultrasound cycloplasty(UCP)and cyclocryotherapy on refractory glaucoma.

METHODS:This retrospective study included 45 patients(81 eyes)with refractory glaucoma admitted to the hospital between January 2017 and December 2020. According to the treatment method, patients enrolled were divided into cyclocryotherapy group(22 patients, 40 eyes)and high-intensity UCP group(23 patients, 41 eyes). Changes in intraocular pressure at 1d, 1wk, 1 and 3mo after operation were compared between the two groups. The Numerical Rating Scale(NRS)was used to evaluate eyeball pain. Surgical results and complications in the two groups were compared.

RESULTS:The total effective rate of operation in the high-intensity UCP group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). Generalized estimation equation analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in intraocular pressure and eyeball pain between the two groups before and after operation(all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in intraocular pressure and eyeball pain between the two groups at different time points after operation(all P<0.05). The incidence rates of complications such as conjunctival hyperemia, corneal edema, anterior chamber inflammatory exudation, reactive intraocular hypertension and hyphema in the high-intensity UCP group were significantly lower than those in the cyclocryotherapy group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: High-intensity UCP is effective in the treatment of refractory glaucoma, with obvious advantages in reducing intraocular pressure, eyeball pain and complications as compared with cyclocryotherapy.