Trabeculectomy versus Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation as a Primary Surgical Procedure in Glaucoma: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

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Abstract
Précis: In this randomized multicenter trial, both TRAB and CPC lowered IOP at 12 months as primary glaucoma surgeries, with TRAB yielding lower final IOP with fewer medications, while both procedures demonstrated meaningful clinical effectiveness. Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of trabeculectomy (TRAB) and slow-burn transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) as primary surgical treatments for glaucoma. Methods: Prospective, randomized, multicenter trial including one eye per patient from July 2020 to July 2023, with 12-month follow-up. Participants were allocated to TRAB (GI) or CPC (GII). The primary endpoint was surgical success at 12 months, defined by intraocular pressure (IOP) between 6 and 18 mm Hg without non-protocol glaucoma surgery or serious complications. Results: Eighty-six eyes were included; nine were excluded (four in GI; five in GII). Baseline demographics were similar between groups. Both significantly reduced IOP at 12 months (GI: 22.97±8.23 mm Hg to 10.14±2.89 mm Hg; GII: 23.47±6.34 mm Hg to 14.58±3.66 mm Hg; P P P =0.007). Final IOP between 6 and 18 mm Hg was reached by 97.1% of GI and 90.9% of GII ( P =0.708). Qualified success rates were high and comparable (GI: 97.4%; GII: 86.8%; P =0.08), while complications were infrequent (four in GI; one in GII; P =0.3). Quality of life improved after TRAB (EQ-5D: 0.71±0.19 to 0.78±0.14; P =0.031) but remained unchanged after CPC ( P =0.424). Conclusions: Both procedures reduced IOP at 12 months as primary glaucoma surgeries. TRAB achieved lower final IOP, required fewer medications, and was associated with improved quality of life, whereas CPC required more adjunctive medication and retreatment in some eyes.