Cryopexy of the vitreous base in the management of peripheral uveitis.

We reviewed 27 consecutive eyes with peripheral uveitis and vitreous base neovascularization that had been treated with cryopexy and followed up for a median of 4.5 years. During the follow-up period, 21 eyes (78%) remained quiescent, whereas five eyes (18%) demonstrated intermittent inflammation, although only one of these eyes progressed to a traction retinal detachment. One eye (4%) eventually atrophied; however, this was believed to be a result of the ongoing uveitis rather than the cryopexy. The treated eyes had an average improvement of three lines in Snellen visual acuity. We found that corticosteroid therapy remains the primary treatment modality for active inflammation, and vitreous base cryopexy should be reserved for those cases which are resistant to corticosteroids, and which demonstrate active neovascularization.