Temporary ab interno suture cyclopexy for closing a cyclodialysis cleft during cataract surgery

Abstract

Cyclodialysis clefts are often associated with ocular hypotony and attendant maculopathy. However, these clefts create an alternative aqueous outflow pathway that can be useful to maintain intraocular pressure (IOP) at physiologic levels under some conditions. At normal levels of IOP, they might prevent glaucoma damage and avoid maculopathy of hypotony. Indeed, historically, cyclodialysis was a planned surgical method for managing glaucoma, and more recently, a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery device that created a small-stented cyclodialysis was in use until removed from the market for unrelated concerns. Cataract surgery in the presence of a cleft, however, might be complicated by extensive fluid misdirection through the cleft with resultant large suprachoroidal effusion. A technique of ab interno temporary suture cyclopexy was devised for a patient needing cataract surgery with an existing traumatic cyclodialysis cleft that was vital for long-term management of IOP. The suture was used to close the cleft transiently during surgery and was removed at the close of the procedure to reestablish patency and preserve the cleft.