Transconjuctival anterior retinal cryotherapy in diabetic vitreous hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

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