The Effects of Cryotherapy in Pars Planitis

ABSTRACT

Pars planitis is characterized by an inferior vitreous opacification with vitreous exudation and organization. Although it has been called a benign process. it may lead to recurrent exacerba tions and remissions with many ocular complications. The response to corticosteroid treatment is seemingly good. However, many ocular complications such as posterior subcapsular cataract. vitreous opacity and cystoid macular edema were developed. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of cryopexy on severe cases not responding to corticosteroid therapy. We reviewed a consecutive series of 9 eyes in the nine patients with pars planitis that had been treated with cryopexy and followed for a meridian of 23 months. In majority of cases, the inflammatory cells were not visible in anterior chamber and no increase of inflammatory cells in the anterior viterous after 2 months except 2 cases who were recurred on the other sides of the same eye. The improvement of visual acuity was rather good without significant side effects.