title: Cyclocryotherapy as an alternative treatment for primary glaucoma.
abstract: Cyclocryotherapy was used as an alternative treatment for primary glaucoma in a series of 56 patients, both with narrow and open angle. In this prospective study treatment was successful in 87.7% of the cases (Peak I.O.P. < or = 20 mm Hg) with a mean follow up period of 10.1 months. Mean intraocular tension decreased from 29.7 mm Hg preoperatively down to 17.25 mm Hg postoperatively. About 60% of the eyes, however, needed an additional local treatment. Postoperative complications were rare and mild. A conjunctival congestion, and a mild self limiting iridocyclitis, were the most frequent ones. Long term efficacy was evaluated retrospectively (21 eyes with primary glaucoma; mean follow up period: 51 months). 58.3% were still controlled today, the majority of them requiring local medication. A further deterioration of visual field, however, had been noticed in 26.6% of these "obviously normotensive eyes". Because of its good efficacy and its lack of severe complications as opposed to trabeculectomy cyclocryotherapy is suggested as a first choice treatment in primary glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Ophthalmology, A.Z.-V.U.B., Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hennekes
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Belgrado
mesh_terms: D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D015355:Glaucoma, Neovascular / Q000601:surgery; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies