Long-term Follow-up after Cryotherapy for Snowbanking in a Tertiary Care Center in Belgium
Purpose
To describe the patient characteristics treated with cryotherapy in a tertiary care center in Antwerp, Belgium between 2015 and 2020.
Methods
A retrospective study of six cases.
Results
Six patients (three male, three female, ages 13-25 at time of treatment) were treated with cryotherapy for snowbanking in intermediate uveitis between 2015 and 2020. There were four bilateral cases and two unilateral cases. In one case an underlying autoimmune disease was found, namely inflammatory bowel disease. The other cases remained without etiology after an extensive diagnostic work-up. The treatment consisted of cryotherapy to all affected eyes and local corticosteroid depot in the most affected eye (subconjunctival or subtenon injection). We followed them postoperatively for a mean period of 54 months (range 27-90 months). Unless there was an underlying autoimmune disease they did not require systemic immunosuppressive therapy. A local corticosteroid therapy was not needed in three patients, one patient received one subconjunctival injection and two patients needed multiple corticosteroid injections. Three patients developed cataract needing surgery. Three patients underwent a vitrectomy: one for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and two for vitreous opacities. One patient had a glaucoma drainage device (Xen® stent) implanted and one patient was treated temporarily with antihypertensive drops. Cryotherapy did not have to be repeated. Visual outcome was good with 20/20 vision bilaterally in three patients and all other eyes 20/32 or better.
Conclusion
Cryotherapy is still a good therapeutic option in intermediate uveitis with snowbanking often necessitating less topical and systemic immunosuppressive therapy.
Conflict of interest
No
Authors 1
Last name
WOUTERS
Initials of first name(s)
M
Department
ZNA Middelheim
City
Antwerp
Country
Belgium
Authors 2
Last name
Depla
Initials of first name(s)
J
Department
ZNA Middelheim
City
Antwerp
Country
Belgium
Authors 3
Last name
Schauwvlieghe
Initials of first name(s)
PP
Department
ZNA Middelheim
City
Antwerp
Country
Belgium
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more