Compared with laser photocoagulation for sealing a peripheral retinal break, cryoretinopexy carries which distinct disadvantage?
- A It produces greater disruption of the blood-retinal barrier and disperses viable retinal pigment epithelial cells into the vitreous, increasing proliferative vitreoretinopathy risk ✓
- B It cannot be used when the overlying conjunctiva is intact
- C It achieves weaker chorioretinal adhesion than laser, failing more often
- D It requires clear ocular media and a dilated view of the fundus
Correct answer: A. It produces greater disruption of the blood-retinal barrier and disperses viable retinal pigment epithelial cells into the vitreous, increasing proliferative vitreoretinopathy risk
Explanation
Cryotherapy disrupts the blood-retinal barrier more extensively than laser and liberates viable retinal pigment epithelial cells into the vitreous cavity, which promotes epiretinal membrane formation and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. It is therefore avoided when laser is feasible. Its strengths are the opposite of the distractors: it works through swollen conjunctiva and hazy media, and its final chorioretinal scar strength equals that of laser, making options B, C and D factually wrong.
Reference: Kanski's Clinical Ophthalmology, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.