Diagnosis and management of iatrogenic trochar-induced cyclodialysis cleft with intraoperative gonioscopy and argon endolaser

PURPOSE: To report a case of iatrogenic vitrectomy trochar-induced cyclodialysis cleft successfully treated with intraoperative argon endolaser. OBSERVATIONS: A 68-year-old Caucasian male with a history of high myopia underwent pars plana vitrectomy to clear symptomatic vitreous opacities but developed early postoperative hypotony that was recalcitrant to medical management for the first 6 postoperative months. Intraoperative gonioscopy demonstrated a cyclodialysis cleft and argon endolaser was applied to close the cleft. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Endolaser is an effective treatment for cyclodialysis clefts and intraoperative gonioscopy allows direct visualization of the cleft in a controlled operating room setting. Placement of vitrectomy ports should be done with care in high myopes to avoid accidental piercing of the ciliary body and inducing a cyclodialysis cleft.