Comparison of Two Different Treatments for Conjunctivochalasis: Plasma-Based Conjunctivoplasty Versus Argon Laser Photocoagulation

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of plasma-based conjunctivoplasty and argon laser photocoagulation techniques used in the treatment of conjunctivochalasis. Methods: The study included 119 eyes from 67 patients who underwent plasma-based conjunctivoplasty or argon laser photocoagulation for conjunctivochalasis in our clinic between February 2021 and March 2022. Group 1 included 62 eyes from 35 patients who had plasma-based conjunctivoplasty. Group 2 included 57 eyes from 32 patients who had argon laser photocoagulation. Main outcomes were patient symptoms, the degree of conjunctivochalasis, fluorescein staining score, tear breakup time, the amount of conjunctival shrinkage, and complications. Results: Before surgery, Group 1 had grade 1 conjunctivochalasis in 8 eyes (12.9%), grade 2 in 20 eyes (32.2%), and grade 3 in 34 eyes (54.8%). In Group 2, 9 eyes (15.7%) had grade 1, 21 eyes (36.8%) had grade 2, and 27 eyes (47.3%) had grade 3 conjunctivochalasis (P = 0.43). At the sixth postoperative month, only 2 eyes (3.2%) in Group 1 had grade 1 conjunctivochalasis, whereas the other cases (96.7%) had no conjunctivochalasis. However, Group 2 had grade 1 conjunctivochalasis in 16 eyes (28.0%), grade 2 in 21 eyes (36.8%), and grade 3 in 2 eyes (3.5%). Conjunctival shrinkage in Group 1 (5.1 ± 1.2 mm) was significantly higher than in Group 2 (3.3 ± 0.9 mm; P < 0.001). Postoperative tear breakup time in Group 1 (10.2 ± 2.1 seconds) was significantly longer than in Group 2 (8.8 ± 2.0 seconds; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Plasma-based conjunctivoplasty demonstrated greater clinical improvement and efficacy than argon laser photocoagulation for the treatment of conjunctivochalasis.