A simple lens-sparing technique to treat hypotonic maculopathy secondary to large cyclodialysis

PURPOSE: Hypotonic maculopathy secondary to cyclodialysis often persists and causes irreversible visual loss despite a variety of treatments proposed. The purpose of this study is to report two cases with persistent hypotonic maculopathy due to a large cyclodialysis cleft treated with a simple, lens-sparing technique of external drainage, diathermy, and suturing under the placement of an infusion cannula. OBSERVATIONS: Both patients had sustained blunt trauma to one eye, causing persisting hypotonic maculopathy. One eye was phakic. The ciliary body was totally detached with a large cyclodialysis cleft. After half-thickness scleral flaps were made and a 25-gauge infusion cannula was placed at the pars plana, external drainage was performed. Transscleral diathermy and interrupted suturing also were done. RESULTS: In both cases, the ciliary detachment promptly improved and the intraocular pressure normalized after transient elevation for a few days. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: We successfully treated two cases with hypotonic maculopathy by a simple technique with an infusion cannula. This procedure is simple, immediately effective, less invasive, and applicable to all cases including phakic eyes.