RESULTS OF CYCLOCRYOCOAGULATION

Background The success of a cyclocryocoagulation is not only defined b y the reduction of the intraocular pressure but also by the simplifica tion of the therapy necessary for the regulation of the glaucoma. Pati ents We examined retrospectively the charts of 27 patients with glauco ma chronicum simplex (GCS) and 63 patients with various types of non-s implex glaucomas (NGCS). All underwent a cyclocryocoagulation made 51 seconds at -70 to -80-degrees-C, 4 mm behind the limbus at 6 points. R esults IOP was controlled (i.e. <25 mm Hg and decreased >20% of the pr eoperative value) in 69% of the cases (GCS 70%, NGCS 68%) 3-5 days aft er the operation. IOP decreased from 31 to 19 mm Hg on average. The ef fect decreased with time, more than 12 months after the operation only 36% of the eyes were still regulated. 4 eyes with persisting pain had to be enucleated. The cyclocryocoagulation never caused blindness or phthisis bulbi. Therapy with eye drops was necessary in 70% of the pat ients preoperatively, and in 37% postoperatively. Oral carboanhydrase inhibitors had to be used in 57% of the patients before and in 20% of the cases after the operation. Conclusions Cyclocryocoagulation is con sidered an effective method to lower IOP and simplify drug therapy wit hout having serious complications.