MicroPulse™ transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in the equine patient: A case series of four horses.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical application and outcome of MicroPulse™ transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) treatment in horses with glaucoma. ANIMALS STUDIED: Four client-owned horses with primary (n = 2) or secondary (n = 2) glaucoma. METHODS: Horses were treated with MP-TSCPC under standing sedation with a minimum of 30 days of follow-up (range 30-1241 days). Affected eyes were treated with a 31.3% duty cycle and 3000 mW laser power for a total of 180 s. Data collected included signalment, pre- and post-procedure intraocular pressures (IOPs), laser settings, medications, complications, and repeat therapy. RESULTS: Four horses (5 eyes) received at least one treatment with MP-TSCPC. Mean preoperative IOP was 44 mmHg (range 33-49 mmHg). The immediate mean postoperative IOP was 34 mmHg (4 eyes; range 19-55 mmHg). At 1 week, IOP was 38 mmHg (5 eyes; range 21-80 mmHg), at 2 weeks was 40 mmHg (3 eyes, range 17-80 mmHg), at 1 month was 35 mmHg (5 eyes; range 20-50 mmHg), at 3 months was 18 mmHg (2 eyes; range 14-21 mmHg), at 6 months was 35 mmHg (2 eyes; range 30-39 mmHg), and at >300 days was 24 mmHg (3 eyes; range 18-29 mmHg). Complications included corneal ulceration (n = 1 eye), uncontrolled IOP (n = 3 eyes), and need for repeat treatment (n = 2 eyes). CONCLUSIONS: MP-TSCPC used with the above-described settings was unsuccessful in treating the majority of cases. Future studies should be targeted at primary glaucoma cases and with use of alternative laser settings.

Medical operations in the 21st century: application of TAK among wartime medical assets.

Advances in technology have improved the ability for real-time communication and enhanced awareness of medically related information on the battlefield. A government off-the-shelf platform, Team Awareness Kit (TAK), may enhance the ability for battlefield healthcare delivery, evacuation, telecommunication, and medical command and control. Integration of TAK into existing medical infrastructure provides a global view of resources, patient movement and direct communication, significantly reducing the 'fog of war' as it relates to battlefield injury and evacuation. Rapid integration and adoption are technically feasible with minimal resource investment. This technology can be rapidly scaled for the increasingly interconnected world of healthcare delivery.