Role of anterior retinal cryoablation in the management of neovascular glaucoma

Abstract

In a prospective study, the effect of anterior retinal cryoablation (ARC) in the management of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) was evaluated over two years, in 72 patients (74 eyes). The outcome of trabeculectomy/seton surgery preceded by 360° ARC was also analysed in 12 eyes of 12 patients (6 eyes in each group). Following ARC, pain relief with dramatic regression of anterior chamber inflammatory reaction was observed in 95% of the patients (59 eyes). At the end of the follow up, as confirmed by iris fluorescein angiography, regression of neovascularization of the iris was documented in 93.5% (58 eyes) of the cases. Intraocular pressure control (⩽22 mm Hg) was achieved in 82.3% (51 eyes) cases. IOP control of ⩽22 mm Hg was achieved in all the 6 eyes with the seton surgery following ARC. Similarly, control of IOP was successfully achieved in all the 6 eyes of patients with NVG with trabeculectomy with post operative course of 5-fluorouracil following ARC. ARC is strongly recommended in NVG, especially in eyes with media opacities and as a preliminary procedure for filtering surgery or drainage implant surgery.