A simple lens-sparing technique to treat hypotonic maculopathy secondary to large cyclodialysis

Hypotonic maculopathy secondary to cyclodialysis often persists and causes irreversible visual loss despite a variety of treatments proposed. The purpose of this study is to report two cases with persistent hypotonic maculopathy due to a large cyclodialysis cleft treated with a simple, lens-sparing technique of external drainage, diathermy, and suturing under the placement of an infusion cannula.

Both patients had sustained blunt trauma to one eye, causing persisting hypotonic maculopathy. One eye was phakic. The ciliary body was totally detached with a large cyclodialysis cleft. After half-thickness scleral flaps were made and a 25-gauge infusion cannula was placed at the pars plana, external drainage was performed. Transscleral diathermy and interrupted suturing also were done.

In both cases, the ciliary detachment promptly improved and the intraocular pressure normalized after transient elevation for a few days. No adverse events were observed.

We successfully treated two cases with hypotonic maculopathy by a simple technique with an infusion cannula. This procedure is simple, immediately effective, less invasive, and applicable to all cases including phakic eyes.