Surgical management of epithelial ingrowth.

In ten consecutive cases of epithelial ingrowth operated on during the past 33 months, therapy included photocoagulation of the iris followed by excision of involved iris tissue and vitreous gel by means of instruments designed for vitreous surgery. Epithelium remaining on the posterior surface of the cornea, ciliary body, and in the anterior chamber was destroyed by controlled transcorneal and transscleral cryotherapy. An intraocular air bubble was used to provide an insulating effect and a more effective, controllable freeze. All patients except two had improved vision postoperatively, and four of the ten patients had postoperative visual acuity of 6/12 (20/40) or better.