[Cryotherapy of neovascular glaucoma in diabetics]

The authors give an account of the long-term results of cryotherapy of neovascular glaucoma in 15 eyes of 12 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The operation was repeated in three instances (20%). Cyclocryothermy was used nine times, cyclocryothermy with retinal transconjunctival cryocoagulation also nine times. Within five days after operation the intraocular pressure was compensated in all patients. Within six months after cryotherapy the intraocular pressure rose above 21 Torr (2.799 kPa) in three eyes. After repeated cryosurgery the intraocular pressure in these eyes was normal. In the remaining 12 eyes at the end of the observation period--average 14.7 months--the intraocular pressure was within the range of 4.8-20.6 Torr (0.639-2.746 kPa). The pain in the eye receded in 100% of the patients. After operation eventually in all patients rubeosis receded. Deterioration of eyesight after the operation is ascribed to the duration of the high intraocular pressure and gradual progression of the proliferative diabetic retinopathy.