[Cyclocryocoagulation in treatment of special types of glaucoma].

In this retrospective study, we examine the efficiency of cyclocryocoagulation in eyes with secondary and congenital glaucoma. We studied 137 eyes with advanced, inadequately controlled glaucoma, which were operated from 1984 to 1993. Besides the intraocular pressure (IOP), we assessed the effect on the visual acuity and the optic nerve. We also compared the efficiency of two different cryomethods (CO2/N2 cyclocryocoagulation). Fifty eyes were cyclocryocoagulated with CO2 and 87 with N2. After a period of 6 months, 90 eyes were regulated (IOP between 7 and 21 mm Hg). At this time the mean IOP was 16 mmHg, whereas it had been 40 mm Hg before the cyclocryocoagulation. Serious complications like a phthisis bulbi were seen in only 18 eyes. Five eyes became blind despite therapy because of an absolute glaucoma. Concerning the different types of glaucoma, the neovascular glaucoma was the most difficult type to regulate. We obtained better and more lasting results with N2 cyclocryocoagulation (68% regulation) than with CO2 cyclocryocoagulation (62% regulation). Thus, cyclocryocoagulation represents a good method for the treatment of advanced, inadequately controlled glaucoma eyes when other methods have failed.