Working Time
- Timings: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
(Monday-Saturday)
Cryo Surgery
What is Cryo Surgery ?
Cryotherapy has been used in ophthalmology since the mid-1960s. With the exception of cataract extraction, ocular cryotherapy is generally used as a surface technique, with the probe being applied to the lids or eye without any incision into the tissue. Because of the absence of an incision, it is considered to be a less invasive type of procedure than incisional surgery. Cryotherapy is a freezing treatment that can be used to treat a number of retinal problems. These conditions include: retinal detachments and tears, neovascularization (abnormal blood vessel growth), intraocular tumors (retinoblastoma), and retinal ischemia (parts of the retina do not get an adequate amount of oxygen). Cryotherapy works by freezing the layers of the eye and forming an adhesive scar to seal the retina in place against the wall of the eye. The effect is similar to laser treatment in that we are trying to seal off the problem area. This procedure may be chosen instead of a laser treatment when sections of the retina are already detached from the back of the eye since laser treatment can only be used in sections of the retina that have not yet become detached.
How is it performed ?
Cryotherapy can be performed in the office by your doctor and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. There are no special preparations and you should eat normally and take your regular medicines as prescribed. First the doctor will administer a topical anesthetic to numb the surface of the eye. A numbing injection is then given just beneath the skin-like covering of the eye to further reduce pain and irritation for the remainder of the procedure. After your eye is numb, the doctor will place a metal probe to the outer surface of the eye. The cryopexy probe becomes very cold with the help of compressed gas (nitrous oxide) as the doctor applies the freezing treatment to the problem area. This freezing will form a scar that adheres the retina back in place by bringing it into contact with the surrounding tissue. In the case of small tumors, this freezing technique can be used to destroy the cells of the tumor.
After Cryo Surgery :
Healing takes 1-2 weeks, so you should avoid any strenuous activities following the procedure to prevent further complications.