Comparison of intraoperative balanced salt solution injection or postoperative air filling for superior bullous retinal detachment / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe the outcome of intravitreal balanced salt solution(BSS)injection to increase intraocular pressure(IOP)after extrascleral subretinal fluid drainage, then scleral buckling(SB)to treat superior bullous retinal detachment(SBRD), and compare it with the effect of conventional surgery(without any intravitreal filling)and postoperative air filling.METHODS: Retrospective case-control study. A total of 72 patients(73 eyes)who underwent SB for SBRD from January 2018 to December 2022 in ophthalmology department of Xijing Hospital were included. The extrascleral subretinal fluid drainage was performed in all eyes. According to whether intravitreal injection was performed and different injections, patients were divided into three groups: with 24 cases(24 eyes)in the conventional group(no intravitreal injection), 23 cases(23 eyes)in the air group(sterile air was injected after surgery), and 25 cases(26 eyes)in the BSS group(BSS was injected during extrascleral subretinal fluid drainage). All patients were followed up until subretinal fluid was absorbed completely. The average surgery time, postoperative IOP, retinal reattachment rate, subretinal fluid absorption, visual acuity(LogMAR)and major complications were compared.RESULTS: All surgeries were completed successfully. The average surgery time of the conventional group, air group and BSS group were 63.17±13.22, 61.65±15.55 and 57.30±11.70 min, respectively. There had no significant difference among these groups(F=0.825, P=0.443). On the first post-operative day, the average IOP of the conventional group, air group and BSS group were 13.69±2.69, 16.40±2.86 and 18.35±2.88 mmHg, respectively. The average IOP of the air group and the BSS group were significant higher than that of the conventional group(F=17.18, P<0.001). Primary reattachment rates were 88%, 96%, and 100%, respectively. The postoperative BCVA was 0.71±0.42, 0.59±0.44, and 0.91±0.50, respectively, which were significantly higher than those before operation(all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference among groups(F=3.046, P>0.05). The main complications included subretinal hemorrhage in 1 eye from the conventional group and 1 eye from the air group, and a new retinal tear in 1 eye from the air group, resulting in localized retinal detachment.CONCLUSIONS: For SBRD patients with hypotony during SB surgery, intravitreal injection of BSS to properly increase the IOP and then complete the surgery can improve the reattachment rate and reduce postoperative complications. This method is safe and effective for selected SBRD patients.

“Pinch and Stretch” technique to overcome ocular hypotony during scleral suturing of recti muscles

During extraocular muscle surgery, an uneventful scleral suture pass is very essential. In presence of normal intraocular tension, the surgery is quite predictable and safe. However, in the presence of significant hypotony, it becomes challenging. Therefore, to mitigate complication rate in these cases, we have adopted a simple technique, that is, the “pinch and stretch” technique. The surgical steps of this technique are as follows: In eyes with significant ocular hypotony, the surgery is initiated with a routine forniceal/limbal peritomy, following which the muscle is sutured and dis-inserted. Using three tissue fixation forceps, the scleral surface is stabilized. Using first forceps, the surgeon rotates the globe toward themself from the muscle stump, and with the remaining two forceps, the assistant pinches and stretches the episcleral tissue in an outward and upward direction just beneath the intended marks. This creates a flat scleral surface with significant firmness. Sutures are passed over this rigid sclera and the surgery is completed without any complications.

Incidence, outcomes, and risk of surgical failure after development of early hypotony following Aurolab aqueous drainage implant surgery

Purpose: To report the incidence, outcomes, and risk of surgical failure after early postoperative hypotony following Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant (AADI) surgery for adult and pediatric refractory glaucoma. Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent AADI between January 2013 and March 2017 with a minimum of 2?years follow?up were retrospectively reviewed. Early postoperative hypotony was defined as IOP ?5 mmHg within the first 3 months after AADI. Surgical failure of AADI was defined as IOP >21 mmHg or reduced <20% below baseline on two consecutive follow?up visits after 3 months, IOP ?5 mmHg on two consecutive follow?up visits after 3 months, reoperation for glaucoma or a complication, or loss of light perception vision. Results: Early postoperative hypotony was seen in 15/213 eyes (7%) in the adult group and in 6/101 eyes (6%) in the pediatric group. The onset of hypotony was significantly earlier in the pediatric group (median = 39 days post AADI, IQR = 20–58 days) compared with adult eyes (median = 51 days post AADI, IQR = 30–72 days) (P = 0.02). Eyes with early postoperative hypotony did not have an increased risk of cumulative surgical failure as compared with eyes without hypotony in both adult (33.3% vs. 23.7%; P = 0.48) and pediatric (33.3% vs. 13.7%; P = 0.16) refractory glaucoma. All eyes recovered from hypotony, though one adult eye developed retinal detachment and one pediatric eye developed corneal decompensation and lost vision. Conclusion: Early postoperative hypotony was an infrequent complication post AADI and occurred earlier in pediatric eyes. Early postoperative hypotony did not increase risk of surgical failure up to 2 years.

Early hypotony after the intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and its risk factors / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To analyze the occurrence of early hypotony after the intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its risk factors.Methods:A case-control study was performed.One hundred and twenty-seven eyes of 127 patients with fundus vascular disease who received intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF drugs were enrolled in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022.Of the 127 patients, there were 71 males and 56 females, with an average age of (61.85±11.53) years and a mean intraocular pressure of (15.28±3.71)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). All subjects were intravitreally injected with 0.05 ml of anti-VEGF drugs, including 56 cases receiving ranibizumab, 38 cases receiving conbercept and 33 cases receiving aflibercept.The intraocular pressure was measured with a non-contact tonometer at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after the injection.The cases were grouped as hypotony group or non-hypotony group according to the intraocular pressure of subjects was less than 10 mmHg or not.The differences in sex, age, distribution of left eye and right eye, disease type, intraocular pressure before injection, injection frequency, lens status, drug type, injection timing, injection site, with or without high myopia, with or without a history of glaucoma or ocular hypertension, and with or without a history of vitreoretinal surgery were analyzed to investigate the factors with a P-value <0.05, which were used as the independent variable and the occurrence of hypotony as the dependent variable in logistic regression analysis to explore the risk factors for hypotony.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Hospital (No.HNEEC-2022-42). Results:Hopotony occurred in 8 eyes within 2 hours after the injection.There were significant differences in intraocular pressure at different time points before and after injection between the hypotony and non-hypotony groups ( Fgroup=62.177, P<0.001; Ftime=25.128, P<0.001). The intraocular pressure of the hypotony group at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after injection were lower than before injection, and the intraocular pressure of the non-hypotony group was higher at 30 minutes after injection than before injection (all at P<0.05). The average reduction of intraocular pressure of the hypotony group was 7.88, 7.63 and 7.23 mmHg at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after the injection, and the intraocular pressure returned to baseline level at 1 day after injection.There was no significant difference in sex, distribution of left and right eyes, disease type, pre-injection intraocular pressure, injection frequency, lens status, drug type, injection timing, injection site, with or without a history of high myopia and with or without a history of glaucoma or ocular hypertension between the two groups.There were significant differences in age and with or without a history of vitreoretinal surgery between the two groups ( t=8.265, P<0.001; χ2=6.907, P=0.035). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed younger patients and having a history of vitreoretinal surgery were the risk factors for early hypotony after anti-VEGF intravitreal injection (odds ratio=88.563, P<0.001; odds ratio=20.991, P=0.009). Conclusions:Patients with younger age and having a history of vitreoretinal surgery are susceptible to early hypotony after anti-VEGF intravitreal injection.

Effect of immediate shallow anterior chamber after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation on intermediate-term intraocular pressure control

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of shallow anterior chamber in the early postoperative period following Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation and its effect on the hypertensive phase (HP), intermediate-term intraocular pressure (IOP) control, and success rate. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 369 eyes of 360 patients who underwent AGV implantation between January 2005 and January 2020 with a minimum follow-up of 2 months was performed. Twenty-six patients developed shallow anterior chamber (AC) within 8 weeks following surgery (cases). They were compared with 39 randomly selected controls (no shallow AC post AGV). HP (IOP spike >21 mmHg), use of ocular hypotensive medications, and other associations were compared. Results: Incidence of shallow AC post AGV was 7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4, 9). The onset of shallow AC was 3 ± 2.1 days and resolved within 6 ± 4.7 days. Hypotony (12 [47%] vs. 1 [2.5%], P 0.0001) and choroidal detachment (CD; 7 [27%] vs. 3 [8%], P 0.03) were more common in cases compared to controls. The HP occurred in 11 (43%) cases versus 13 (34%) controls (P 0.4). Cases required more ocular hypotensive medications than controls at the end of 8 weeks (1.1 ± 1 vs. 0.5 ± 0.5, P 0.01). There was no significant difference in the qualified success between the groups at 1 year. Conclusion: The development of postoperative shallow AC post AGV implantation was not detrimental to IOP control at 1 year. However, there is a need to monitor the occurrence of HP in these eyes.

Ocular Hypotony after Glaucoma Surgery

Background: Postoperative hypotony is associated with choroidal effusion, suprachoroidal haemorrhage, aqueous misdirection syndrome (malignant glaucoma), choroidal folds and hypotony maculopathy, anterior chamber (AC) shallowness or loss and subsequent failure of the original filtration of procedure. This work aimed to study the causes, risk factors, adverse effects, and management plans of ocular hypotony after different glaucoma surgeries.Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on 205 eyes underwent glaucoma surgery with follow up for more than 3 months. Patients were divided into two groups: 30 cases were diagnosed with post-operative hypotony, 175 eyes were without hypotony. Patients were subjected to glaucoma diagnosis, type of glaucoma operation and recorded IOP for 3 months at least.Results: CPC, Visco-Trab, Phaco Visco-Trab Visco and express valve were significantly different between the two groups (P=0.049, P=0.012, P=0.043 and P<0.001 respectively) and other types of operation were insignificantly different between the two groups. IOP was significantly decreased at first diagnosis of hypotony and at last follow up compared to before operation (P value <0.001). IOP at last follow up was significantly increased compared to first diagnosis of hypotony (P value <0.001). Criteria of hypotony eyes were insignificantly different between patients needed surgical intervention and no surgical intervention.Conclusions: Postoperative hypotony was most common in pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma cases compared to other glaucoma types. While the most type of glaucoma surgery that was associated with postoperative hypotony was viscocanalostomy combined with express shunt. The adverse effects reported in our study were choroidal effusion and hypotony maculopathy.

Insertion of a Preserflo microshunt inside a non-valved glaucoma shunt to treat late-onset hypotony

We present a case of advanced glaucoma with previously failed trabeculectomy who underwent a Baerveldt tube (BVT) insertion, with initial success. However, 9 months post BVT insertion he developed profound clinically significant hypotony. Two attempts at controlling this with suture exchange led to episodes of significant ocular hypertension, followed by hypotony each time. We describe a technique of using a cut segment of the novel, polystyrene?block?isobutylene?block? styrene (SIBs) based Preserflo Microshunt (Santen Inc., Miami, FL) inserted into the tip of a BVT to control late onset hypotony with success. IOP at 6 weeks was 12mmHg on two drops with complete resolution of the choroidal maculopathy

Transconjunctival flap sutures: A novel technique to combat hypotony

Background: Hypotony secondary to overfiltration is a recognized complication following trabeculectomy. Persistent hypotony requires intervention . Purpose: We describe a modified version of placing conjunctival compression sutures directly over the scleral flap. Synopsis: A 70-year-old male patient diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma in both eyes underwent combined surgery in the right eye. On the tenth post-operative day, the patient presented with severe hypotony with 360? choroidal detachment. He was treated with corticosteroids and cycloplegics but developed hypotony maculopathy on the subsequent follow-up. Hence, he was further managed surgically by trans-conjunctival flap sutures to which he responded favorably with resolution of choroidal detachment and improvement in intraocular pressure and visual acuity. Highlights: Transconjunctival suturing of the scleral flap is an effective and minimally invasive treatment to prevent visual loss from hypotony maculopathy for an overfiltering bleb following trabeculectomy.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy as a tool in the evaluation and management of ocular hypotony in uveitis

Purpose: Chronic uveitis can lead to hypotony that may result in severe visual impairment. We highlight the use of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) as an imaging tool to decide the modality of therapy and management of uveitic hypotony. Methods: This was a retrospective hospital?based interventional case?series study that included a total of 36 eyes of 25 patients with uveitic hypotony seen between January 1997 and January 2020. Results: Thirty?six eyes of 25 patients with uveitic ocular hypotony were included. Unilateral involvement was seen in 56%. The median age of presentation was 21 years with a median follow?up of 21.5 months. Anterior uveitis was noted in 13.88%, intermediate uveitis in 52.77%, and panuveitis in 33.33% eyes. UBM findings commonly noted were pars plana membranes, supraciliary effusion, blunted ciliary process, and ciliary body traction. Other findings included ciliochoroidal detachment and ciliary body edema. Moreover, 22.2% eyes were managed with medical therapy alone, whereas 77.8% eyes received both medical and surgical intervention based on UBM findings. Furthermore, 66.7% eyes showed improvement in intraocular pressure, 13.9% eyes maintained the same IOP, whereas 19.4% eyes had worsening of IOP at final follow?up. Conclusion: We found UBM as a useful imaging tool in evaluating and judiciously deciding the mode of management of uveitic hypotony.

Transscleral Cyclopexy Using Partial-Thickness Scleral Flap for Repairing Cyclodialysis Cleft: a Case Report

PURPOSE: To report a case of a cyclodialysis cleft that was successfully managed with gonioscopically guided transscleral cyclopexy using partial-thickness scleral flap. CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old man complaining of blurred vision in the left eye after blunt trauma was referred to our hospital. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was 4 mmHg and the visual acuity was counting finger. Gonioscopy examination revealed cyclodialysis cleft from 3 to 6 o'clock and fundus examination revealed macular folds. After the failure of conservative medical therapy and laser photocoagulation, gonioscopically guided transscleral cyclopexy using partial-thickness scleral flap was performed. Four months later, the IOP was 18 mmHg, the visual acuity was 0.8, and fundus examination showed the disappearance of the macular folds. CONCLUSIONS: Transscleral cyclopexy using partial-thickness scleral flap is a safe and effective method to treat hypotony maculopathy due to cyclodialysis and to minimize pupil distortion.

A case of human leukocyte antigen B-27-associated ocular hypotony successfully treated with golimumab

A 42-year-old male presented to us after an episode of acute anterior human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27-associated uveitis, and intraocular pressure (IOP) in the right eye was 4 mmHg. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed ciliary body edema with supraciliary effusion. He was on a frequent topical corticosteroid, and oral steroid in addition to receiving a periocular injection depot corticosteroid 20 days back. He was started on treatment with subcutaneous golimumab (GLM). After a month, his IOP in the right eye was 14 mm of Hg with UBM showing resolution of ciliary body edema. GLM can be useful in the management of steroid-resistant cases of HLA B-27-associated ocular hypotony.

Bilateral idiopathic spontaneous filtering bleb with ectopia lentis: A case report and review of literature

A 26-year-old male presented with superior filtering bleb with scleral thinning, dislocated lens, and hypotony in both the eyes. His cornea was normal without any sign of ectasia, and there was no history of recurrent redness, trauma, or surgery in either eye. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography did not reveal communicating fistula between the anterior chamber and subconjunctival space. Physical examination and blood investigations did not reveal any systemic association. He was diagnosed to have spontaneous filtering bleb, which is a rare condition observed with ocular or systemic abnormalities.

Novel Adjuvant Method to Assist Localisation of a Cyclodialysis Cleft

PURPOSE: To introduce a novel adjuvant technique to locate cyclodialysis cleft using a laser pointer in a gonioscopic view. CASE SUMMARY: A 36-year-old man complaining of blurred vision in his left eye after blunt trauma 2 weeks prior was referred to our hospital. Gonioscopy showed a cyclodialysis cleft from 3 to 4 o'clock and fundus revealed hypotonic maculopathy. After the failure of medical treatment, we tried various interventions such as injection of viscoelastic agent into the anterior chamber and intravitreal gas tamponade with transconjunctival cryotherapy. Since those were not successful, we decided to treat the patient with direct cyclopexy. For the preoperative localization of the cleft, we tried a new technique that uses a laser pointer. On gonioscopic examination, an assistant shot the laser toward the limbal area where the suspicious cleft was located. We were able to precisely locate the cyclodialysis cleft if the laser pointer light was seen through the cleft in the gonioscopic view. With the aid of a laser a pointer, the cleft was successfully closed. CONCLUSIONS: Localization with a laser pointer is simple, safe, rapid, and helpful for planning surgical repair of a cyclodialysis cleft without expensive equipment.

Progressive hemifacial atrophy with ciliary body atrophy and ocular hypotony.

Progressive hemifacial atrophy (PHA) is a disease of unknown etiology affecting one‑half of the face. Ocular involvement is uncommon. Atrophy of iris is rare, with only a few cases of partial atrophy being reported in the literature. We report a case of total atrophy of iris and ciliary body with associated ocular hypotony in a 16‑year‑old girl with PHA. We believe this is the Access this article online Quick Response Code: Website: www.ijo.in DOI: 10.4103/0301-4738.151474 PMID: *** first reported case of complete atrophy of iris and ciliary body in PHA. Ocular hypotony in PHA was thought to be due to intra‑ocular inflammation. However in our case it appears to be secondary to severe atrophy of the ciliary body.

A Case of Cyclodialysis Cleft with Hypotony during Ahmed Valve Implantation Surgery

PURPOSE: To report a case of cyclodialysis cleft with hypotony during Ahmed valve implantation. CASE SUMMARY: A 47-year-old male was referred for uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) in the right eye. The patient had a history of ocular trauma and traumatic hyphema. He underwent pars plana vitrectomy, phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation 1 month prior due to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. At the end of the Ahmed valve implantation surgery, the eye was hypotonic despite a deep anterior chamber. The hypotony continued and choroidal effusion developed. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography and gonioscopic examinations revealed small cyclodialysis clefts. After medical treatment with cycloplegics and steroids, choroidal effusion disappeared and IOP was normalized. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with previous ocular trauma or surgery could be prone to developing cyclodialysis cleft with hypotony. Inadvertent cyclodialysis cleft with hypotony can be treated with cycloplegics and steroids.

Outcomes of Relaxing Retinectomy in Patients with Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of relaxing retinectomy for retinal detachment in patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: Sixty-four cases of relaxing retinectomy for PVR with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were retrospectively reviewed. The outcomes included achievement of complete retinal reattachment, PVR recurrence, the mean number of additional operations, visual acuity and incidence of postoperative complications. We analyzed the influence of intraoperative factors including lens status, retinectomy extent, additional scleral buckling, and tamponade agent on primary retinal reattachment. RESULTS: Complete retinal reattachment was achieved in 47 eyes (74.3%) without an additional surgery. PVR recurred in 19 eyes (29.7%) and an additional operation was performed in 17 eyes (26.6%). Fifty-seven (89.1%) eyes showed complete retinal reattachment and 40 eyes (62.5%) had visual acuity of 0.02 or more at the final follow-up visit. Hypotony was the major complication and developed in 10 eyes (15.6%). Eyes undergoing smaller ( or = 180degrees) retinectomy or gas tamponade (p = 0.043 and 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Relaxing retinectomy is a useful technique for retinal detachment with PVR, but risk of recurrent proliferation or hypotony should be considered.

Transient Hypotony after Silicone Oil Removal in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To determine the risk factors for transient hypotony after silicone oil removal in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and to analyze changes in intraocular pressure and visual acuity after silicone oil removal. METHODS: The medical records of 54 eyes of 52 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy, silicone oil tamponade followed by silicone oil removal due to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, were reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence of transient hypotony after silicone oil removal was 18.5%. Young age (p = 0.011) and axial length (p = 0.002) were risk factors for transient hypotony based on univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, axial length longer than 26 mm was the only risk factor for transient hypotony (p = 0.005). Seven hypotony patients recovered to normal intraocular pressure spontaneously within 2 weeks. In 2 patients, intraocular pressure was normalized after intravitreal injection of C3F8 gas and 1 patient recovered after a balanced salt solution injection into the anterior chamber. Two weeks after silicone oil removal, there was no significant difference in intraocular pressure between the hypotony group and normal intraocular pressure group. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference in best corrected visual acuity between the 2 groups after 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Although transient hypotony after silicone oil removal in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was frequently observed in the present study, the final best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure was not always affected. Ocular hypotony should be examined thoroughly in the early postoperative period.

A Case of Traumatic Hypotony Maculopathy Treated by Intravitreal Air Injection

PURPOSE: To report a case of traumatic hypotony maculopathy treated by intravitreal air injection. CASE SUMMARY: A 20-year-old female presented with decreased visual acuity in the left eye 2 days after trauma. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.5 and the intraocular pressure (IOP) was 5 mm Hg. Indirect ophthalmoscopy revealed chorioretinal folds in the macular area. Gonioscopy showed angle recession from 4 to 7 o'clock. Initially, pressure patching and conservative management were performed on the left eye 10 days after examination. However, deterioration of the chorioretinal fold was observed without any change in IOP. Finally, intravitreal air injection (0.5 cc) was performed 10 days after the start of conservative treatments. Following air injection, the normalization of IOP and gradual reduction of chorioretinal fold was observed. BCVA improved to 1.0 and IOP was maintained between 12 and 14 mm Hg for 24 months after the air injection. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal air injection may safely and effectively treat traumatic hypotony maculopathy.

The Usefulness of External Bandage Suture for Management of Bleb after Trabeculectomy with Mitomycin C

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of external bandage suture for bleb-related management that follows trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. METHODS: External bandage sutures were performed on 10 patients having hypotony maculopathy, persistent low intraocular pressure (IOP) caused by either hyperfiltration or focal leakage, or a persisting large bleb caused by hyperfiltration and who received trabeculectomy using mitomycin C as an adjuvant treatment. The changes in IOP measured before and 4 weeks after the procedure along with complication incidences were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean IOP 4 weeks after the procedure compared with the mean IOP prior to the procedure increased from 5.8 +/- 2.0 mm Hg (3.0-9.0 mm Hg) to 14.1 +/- 8.5 mm Hg (4.0-32.0 mm Hg), with statistical significance (p = 0.008). After the procedure, improvement in visual acuity was observed but without statistical significance. One patient had persistent focal leakage from an avascular bleb and conjunctival advancement with removal of the avascular conjunctiva was performed. CONCLUSIONS: An external bandage suture can be a good alternative for correction of post-trabeculectomy hypotony and severe chemosis with minimal effect on blebs while correcting focal leakage and hyperfiltration.

Cyclocryotherapy and Intravitreal Gas Tamponade of a Chronic Cyclodialysis Cleft: Case Report

PURPOSE: To report a case of chronic hypotony maculopathy caused by traumatic cyclodialysis cleft and treated with 20% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas tamponade with cyclocryotherapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 39-year-old woman with a history of blunt trauma developed a unilateral chronic ocular hypotony in her left eye. She was treated with topical atropine sulphate 1% for 2 months. Three years later, she was referred to our clinic for evaluation and treatment of persistent hypotony. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was 4 mm Hg and the best corrected visual acuity was 0.4. B-scan echography revealed a choroidal effusion and fundus examination showed choroidal detachment and macular folds. Gonioscopy examination revealed cyclodialysis cleft from the direction of 7 o'clock to 11 o'clock. A single bubble of SF6 20% (0.4 cc) was injected into the vitreous cavity and transconjunctival cyclocryotherapy was performed under retrobulbar anesthesia. Six months later, the IOP was 12 mm Hg and the best corrected visual acuity was 1.0. B-scan echograpy and fundus examination showed the disappearance of the choroidal effusion. CONCLUSIONS: Gas tamponade with cyclocryotherapy may be useful in cases of cyclodialysis cleft that failed to respond to medical therapy.