RESUMO
Transconjunctival anterior retinal cryotherapy was performed on 22 eyes of 20 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and vitreous hemorrhage. In all cases, cryotherapy followed laser pan- retinal photocoagulation which did not prevent subsequent vitreous hemorrhage. Results showed clearing of existing vitreous hemorrhage in 8 eyes [36.4%] at one month postoperatively. This number increased to 14 eyes [63.6%] at 3 months and 19 eyes [86.4%] at 6 months postoperatively. The best corrected visual acuity improved in 13 eyes [59.1%], remained unchanged in 6 [27.3%], and worsened in 3 [13.6%] at 6 months postoperatively. Postoperative complications included transient punctate keratopathy [2 eyes], traction retinal detachment [one eye] and macular edema [one eye]. Only two eyes had recurrent vitreous hemorrhage. The study indicated that this relatively safe and easy procedure of cryotherapy can be a valuable adjunct in the management of recurrent or resistant diabetic vitreous hemorrhage in selected cases