Choroidal neovascularization after cryoapplication.

After sealing peripheral retinal tears in retinal detachment surgery by means of cryoapplications, neovascularization appeared, stemming from the choroidal circulation. This complication was noted in three cases of retinal detachment with tears in an area of latticelike degeneration. The neovascularization, clearly originating from the choroid, extended into the vitreous cavity through the chorioretinal scar created by the cryoapplication. Repeated attempts to destroy the neovascularization with argon laser applications proved unsuccessful. In the 4--6-year follow-up of the cases recurrent hemorrhages were observed. The etiology of the neovascularization remains unknown, but it is probably related to the presence of subretinal pigment epithelium neovascularization encountered in a high percentage of adults in the retinal periphery. The choroidal neovascularization described provides evidence that, in addition to xenon arc and argon laser applications, cryoapplication on the retina can also cause this rare complication.