Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation using a contact laser probe: a histologic and clinical study in rabbits.

Transscleral photocoagulation of the ciliary body was achieved in pigmented rabbits using a sapphire probe delivery system coupled to a commercial surgical continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser. This contact technique was found to be effective in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP); greater treatment energies were associated with a more prolonged reduction in IOP, and also correlated with a greater degree of histologic damage to the ciliary body. Treatment energies of 0.8-1.0 Joules produced substantial disruption of the ciliary body. This technique is easy to learn and offers ease in control and placement of the coagulation spots.