[Cyclodialysis, a therapeutic challenge: Review of the literature on current practices]

Cyclodialysis is a rare condition that is difficult to manage. We present the case of a woman with a cyclodialysis complicated by chronic hypotony requiring two surgeries to achieve reattachment of the ciliary body. We also report the results of a review of the literature regarding the treatment of this condition.

This is a 46-year-old woman with history of trauma to the right eye. Examination revealed an intra-ocular pressure (IOP) of 7mmHg, a shallow anterior chamber and signs of chronic hypotony on fundus examination (vascular tortuosity, hypotony maculopathy) due to an extensive 360° cyclodialysis, confirmed by ultrasound biomicroscopy. Transcleral cryotherapy as a first-line approach did not achieve reattachment of the ciliary body. Secondary pars plana vitrectomy with gas tamponade (C2F6) reattached the ciliary body and restored the intraocular pressure (12mmHg) and normal fundus appearance. The patient recovered corrected visual acuity of 20/20.

To our knowledge, there is no standardized management for cyclodialysis. The study of the literature available on the Medline database showed that direct cyclopexy remains the most common treatment, followed by vitrectomy with internal tamponade. Neither the extent nor the duration of the cyclodialysis can predict the visual recovery, which can be major even after weeks of hypotony.

The management of cyclodialysis is not well-defined; it remains a true therapeutic challenge.