ROLE OF ANTERIOR RETINAL CRYOABLATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NEOVASCULAR GLAUCOMA

In a prospective study, the effect of anterior retinal cryoablation (A RC) in the management of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) was evaluated over two years, in 72 patients (74 eyes). The outcome of trabeculectomy/se ton surgery preceded by 360 degrees ARC was also analysed in 12 eyes o f 12 patients (6 eyes in each group). Following ARC, pain relief with dramatic regression of anterior chamber inflammatory reaction was obse rved in 95% of the patients (59 eyes). At the end of the follow up, as confirmed by iris fluorescein angiography, regression of neovasculari zation of the iris was documented in 93.5% (58 eyes) of the cases. Int raocular pressure control (less than or equal to 22 mm Hg) was achieve d in 82.3% (51 eyes) cases. IOP control of less than or equal to 22 mm Hg was achieved in all the 6 eyes with the seton surgery following AR C. Similarly, control of IOP was successfully achieved in all the 6 ey es 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.