[Diathermy and cryotherapy of the pars plana in the treatment of pars planitis. Long-term evaluation].

Seventeen eyes of 14 patients affected with severe pars planitis underwent surgical treatment with either cryotherapy - 3 eyes - or diathermy - 14 eyes. The indications for surgery were selected as follows: ten eyes of 9 patients showed recurrence(s) or increase of ocular inflammation following tapering of systemic corticoids; 5 patients had contra-indications to systemic corticoids. Ten eyes had cystoid macular edema. The follow-up after surgery varies from 2,5 years to 10 years with an average of 5 years. Complete and permanent recovery from ocular inflammation was achieved in 7 eyes (41,2%). Permanent although incomplete improvement was achieved in 4 eyes (23,5%). Recurrences of ocular inflammation after incomplete improvement occurred in 4 eyes (23,5%). Complications - cystoid macular degeneration and severe ocular hypotension - occurred in 2 eyes (11,8%). Cystoid macular edema cleared in 9 out of 10 eyes. The final visual acuity was the same or better as compared to the initial visual acuity in 10 eyes, and worse in 7 eyes. It is concluded that the long term evaluation of cryotherapy and diathermy in the treatment of pars planitis confirms the results achieved in other series with a shorter follow-up. The treatment is beneficial in selected cases of severe pars planitis. However complete and permanent recovery from ocular inflammation should be expected in less than 50% of the cases.