Noninvasive closure of a persistent cyclodialysis cleft.

BACKGROUND

A persistent post-traumatic cyclodialysis cleft can result in substantial visual loss due to subchoroidal effusion and macular folds with hypotony. A method of closure is needed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After other methods had been tried, the authors used transscleral YAG laser cyclophotocoagulation in three consecutive patients with 20 applications in two rows of ten applications, 2 to 3 mm behind the limbus, at a power setting of 6 J, with a defocus setting of 9.

RESULTS

The cleft was closed with restoration of normal intraocular pressure and recovery of visual function in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Transscleral YAG laser cyclophotocoagulation is a simple, effective, noninvasive method of closing a persistent traumatic cyclodialysis cleft, which may make invasive surgical closure unnecessary.