Glaucoma Center of Michigan
Glaucoma Center of Michigan
Endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) was developed in 1992 and is a longstanding and proven MIGS laser procedure usually combined with cataract surgery to help reduce intraocular pressure. The procedure involves shrinking of the ciliary processes under direct visualization with the goal of decreasing the amount of intraocular fluid (aqueous humor) produced within your eye. Since glaucoma usually involves a drainage problem, reducing the amount of fluid being made helps with the intraocular pressure.
ECP is performed after cataract surgery; a special probe is introduced into the eye through the same cataract incision. This probe has both a special camera as well fiberoptic cables that deliver the laser energy.
Your surgeon will observe the internal structures of your eye on a TV monitor and will direct the laser energy to the ciliary processes under direct visualization.
This procedure does not involve opening up the conjunctival tissues to access Schlemm’s canal. This is a major advantage of this procedure as it makes future glaucoma surgery (if needed) a lot simpler with less risk of failure.
This is an outpatient procedure performed in an ambulatory surgery center. The surgery is usually done under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation.
Your doctor will want to examine you in the office the following day and you will be prescribed a regimen of postoperative drops for the next four to eight weeks.
If the procedure is successful you can expect a decrease in the intraocular pressure and you possibly may come off some of your glaucoma medications.
It takes about 6 to 8 weeks before the outcome of the laser procedure is known.