Retinal cryopexy



Definition

Retinal cryopexy, also called retinal cryotherapy , is a procedure that uses intense cold to induce a chorioretinal scar and to destroy retinal or choroidal tissue.

Purpose

The retina is the very thin membrane in the back of the eye that acts like the "film" in a camera. It is held against the inside back portion of the eye by pressure from fluid within the eye. In the front part of the eye, the retina is firmly attached at a ring just behind the lens called the pars plana. In the back part of the eye, the retina is continuous with the optic nerve. In between the pars plana and the optic nerve the retina has no fixed attachments. The retina collects information from the images projected on it from the eye lens and sends it along the optic nerve to the brain, where the information is interpreted and experienced as sight.

Several disorders can affect the retina and retinal cryopexy is used to treat the following conditions:

Demographics

Disease and disorders affecting the retina cause the majority of the visual disability and blindness in the United States. Retinal detachment occurs in one in 10,000 Americans each year, with middle-aged and older individuals being at higher risk than the younger population. Coats' disease usually affects children, especially boys, in the first 10 years of life, but it can also affect young adults. The condition affects central vision, typically in only one eye. Severity can range from mild vision loss to total retinal detachment and blindness. No cause has yet been identified for Coats' disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, retinoblastoma accounts for approximately 11% of cancers developing in the first year of life, and for 3% of the cancers developing among children younger than 15 years. In the United States, approximately 300 children and adolecents below the age of 20 are diagnosed with retinoblastoma each year. The majority of cases occur among young children, with 63% of all retinoblastoma occurring before the age of two years.


Description

Usually, retinal cryopexy is administered under local anesthesia. The procedure involves placing a metal probe against the eye. When a foot pedal is depressed, the tip of the cryopexy probe becomes very cold as a result of the rapid expansion of very cold gases (usually nitrous oxide) within the probe tip. When the probe is placed on the eye the formation of water crystals followed by rapid thawing results in tissue destruction. This is followed by healing and scar tissue formation.

In the case of retinal detachment, treatment calls for irritating the tissue around each of the retinal tears. Cryopexy stimulates scar formation, sealing the edges of the tear. This is typically done by looking into the eye using the indirect ophthalmoscope while pushing gently on the outside of the eye using the cryopexy probe, producing a small area of freezing that involves the retina and the tissues immediately underneath it. Using multiple small freezes like this, each of the tears is surrounded. Irritated tissue forms a scar, which brings the retina back into contact with the tissue underneath it.


Diagnosis/Preparation

The earlier the retinal disorder diagnosis is confirmed, the greater the chance of successful outcome. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and a thorough examination of the retina. An ophthalmoscope is used to examine the retina. This is a small, hand-held instrument consisting of a battery-powered light and a series of lenses that is held up to the eye. The ophthalmologist is able to see the retina and check for abnormalities by shining the light into the eye and looking through the lens. Eye drops are placed in the eyes to dilate the pupils and help visualization. Afterwards, an indirect ophthalmoscope is used. This instrument is worn on the specialist's head, and a lens is held in front of the patient's eye. It allows a better view of the retina. Examination with a slit lamp microscope may also be done. This microscope enables the ophthalmologist to examine the different parts of the eye under magnification. After instilling drops to dilate the pupil, the slit lamp is used to detect retinal tears and detachment. A visual acuity test is also usually performed to assess vision loss. This test involves reading letters from a standard eye chart.

Additional diagnostic procedures are used in the case of Coats' disease and retinoblastoma. Ultrasonography helps in differentiating Coats' disease from retinoblastoma. CT scan may be used to characterize the intraocular features of Coats' disease. MRI is another very useful diagnostic tool used to distinguish retinoblastoma from Coats' disease.


Aftercare

After the procedure, patients are taken to a recovery room , and observed for 30–60 minutes. Tylenol or pain medication is usually given. Healing typically takes 10–14 days. Vision may be blurred briefly, and the operated eye is usually red and swollen for some time following cryopexy. Cold compresses applied to the eyelids relieve some of the discomfort. Most patients are able to walk the day after surgery and are discharged from the hospital within a week. After discharge, patients are advised to gently cleanse their eyelids every morning, and as necessary, using warm tap water and cotton balls or tissues. Day surgery patients are usually allowed to go home two hours after the surgery is complete.


Risks

Risks involved in retinal cryopexy include infection, perforation of the eye with the anesthetic needle, bleeding, double vision, and glaucoma. All of these complications however, are quite uncommon.


Normal results

If treated early, the outcome of cryopexy for Coats' disease may be successful in preventing progression and in some cases can improve vision, but this is less effective if the retina has completely detached. For retinal reattachments, the retina can be repaired in about 90% of cases. Early treatment almost always improves the vision of most patients with retinal detachment. Some patients, however, require more than one cryopexy procedure to repair the damage.


Morbidity and mortality rates

Survival rates for children with retinoblastoma are favorable, with more than 93% alive five years after diagnosis. Males and females have similar five-year survival rates for the period 1976–1994, namely 93 and 94% respectively. African American children had slightly lower survival rates (86%) than Caucasian children (94%).


Alternatives

Several alternatives to retinal cryopexy are available, depending on the condition being treated. A few examples include:

See also Cryotherapy .


Resources

books

Packer, A. J., ed. Manual of Retinal Surgery. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001.

Schepens, C. L., M. E. Hartnett, and T. Hirose, eds. Schepens's Retinal Detachment and Allied Diseases. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000.

Wong, D. and A. H. Chignell. Management of Vitreo-Retinal Disease: A Surgical Approach. New York: Springer Verlag, 1999.


periodicals

Anagnoste, S. R., I. U. Scott, T. G. Murray, D. Kramer, and S. Toledano. "Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in retinoblastoma patients undergoing chemoreduction and cryotherapy." American Journal of Ophthalmology 129 (June 2000): 817–819.

Palner, E. A., et al. "Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity Cooperative Group. Multicenter trial of cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity: ophthalmological outcomes at 10 years." Archives of Ophthalmology 119 (2001): 1110–1118.

Steel, D. H., J. West, and W. G. Campbell. "A randomized controlled study of the use of transscleral diode laser and cryotherapy in the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment." Retina 20 (2000): 346–357.

Veckeneer, M., K. Van Overdam, D. Bouwens, E. Feron, D. Mertens, et al. "Randomized clinical trial of cryotherapy versus laser photocoagulation for retinopexy in conventional retinal detachment surgery." American Journal of Ophthalmology 132 (September 2001): 343–347.

organizations

American Academy of Ophthalmology. P.O. Box 7424, San Francisco, CA 94120-7424. (415) 561-8500. http://www.aao.org/index.html .

New England Ophthalmological Society (NEOS). P.O. Box 9165, Boston, MA 02114. (617) 227-6484. http://www.neos-eyes.org/ .

other

University Ophthalmology Consultants. "What is cryotherapy?" http://www.umdnj.edu/eyeweb/faqs/cryo.html .


Monique Laberge, PhD

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?



Retinal cryopexy is performed in the treating physician's office or in a hospital setting depending on the condition motivating the surgery. The physician is usually an ophthalmologist, specialized in the treatment of retinal disorders. An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. He or she has completed four or more years of college premedical education, four or more years of medical school, one year of internship, and three or more years of specialized medical and surgical and refractive training and experience in eye care.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR





User Contributions:

Is retina test done on newborns painful for the infant.
I only have one good eye left, due to cancer when I was younger. I just had Retinal Cryotherapy done to my only good eye. I'm having a blind spot that wasn't there before. I'm really nervous. Is this normal?
I had retina surgery 5 weeks ago and it required a gas bubble. The gas bubble is 60% gone, but I need an MRI on my right knee. Is it safe to have an MRI or will it cause problems with the healing of the eye? An suggestions?
4
yella
can you wear contacts after?
does you eyesight change for the better or worse?
can you wear makeup after the healing process?
i am having it done in both eyes, how long should you wait to do the second eye?
5
Kelly
I had this procedure last week. My vision has improved dramatically. All in all, not so bad--and I am an apprehensive patient:-) Thank goodness the tear was identified and treated quickly.
6
Richard
After retinal cryo prexy, when is it okay to drive?
7
Julie OConnor
I had cryo prexy done in early April--emergency surgery. Had gone in for my annual exam (ARMD in family with no onset). I had no indications that there was a problem with my eye--20/20 vision with very few minor floaters. Rushed in for surgery in office, not explained any risks, experience, etc. Frightened as all get out. So here I am 5 weeks later, still same small floaters, eye feels "stiff", no redness or discharge. Should I be concerned or is this normal recovery? No working out beyond walking and breathing. For an active 58 year old, this is very frustrating.
8
kristine HAWKINS
I had detacted retinal surgery in 1976 at 20 yrs. old. I was told resently by a eye Dr. that my eye has a metal piece in it, that was place there while in surgery.
The Dr. who did the surgery at that time, told me it was like putting a bread tie around my eyeball to to pull it together. The thing I'm worried about if I had to have an MRI it would pull my eye ball out and any thing attacted to it. I had a med. alert, stating no MRI. But some eye Dr.'s have said they don't think it is metal, but they don't sound real sure...sooo?
How do I find out for sure, or does anyone know for sure.
9
Kathie
I just had retinal cryopexy. Experiencing major bloodshot eye. Should I be concerned? Vision is good.
10
Rita
I just had retinal cryopexy. I have a blob of what looks like gel in the corner of my eye. Will that dissipate by the morning or should i call the doctor?

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