Cyclodestructive Procedures for GlaucomaA cyclodestructive procedure is a type of surgery used to destroy the ciliary body, the part of the eye that produces fluid (aqueous humor). It may be used to treat severe glaucoma that has not improved after other types of treatment or surgery have been tried. Some people need this treatment done more than once. Laser cyclophotocoagulationIn laser cyclophotocoagulation, a laser beam is used to destroy the ciliary body. For this procedure, medicine to numb the eye is injected behind the eyeball (retrobulbar anesthesia) before the procedure. For most, but not all, people who have laser cyclophotocoagulation, the pressure in their eyes decreases to their target pressure . Complications of laser cyclophotocoagulation may include:
Laser cyclodestructive procedures may cause less pain than other cyclodestructive procedures used to destroy the ciliary body. CyclocryotherapyIn cyclocryotherapy, an extremely cold instrument (probe) is repeatedly applied to the sclera, the white part of the eye . The probe destroys the ciliary body, the part of the eye that produces fluid. Usually medicine to numb the eye is injected behind the eyeball before the procedure. After the procedure, the pressure in the eye may briefly rise. The person may have moderate to severe pain after this procedure. Cyclocryotherapy may be used to treat:
Complications of cyclocryotherapy may include:
Because it can cause loss of central vision , which is needed to read and see details clearly, cyclocryotherapy is not usually used for people who have relatively good central vision. Current as of: December 3, 2017 Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, MPH, FRCSC - Ophthalmology |
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