cryopexy or laser therapy versus observation for management of accidental scleral perforation during strabismus surgery; an experimental study

purpose: to evaluate the complications of scleral perforation during strabismus surgery and the role of cryopexy, laser therapy, and conservative management in an animal model. methods: in this experimental study, 42 pigmented-eye rabbits were included. an s-24 needle attached to a 6-0 polyglactin suture was passed through the sclera and into the vitreous cavity in both eyes of the animals. one eye of the rabbits received either laser therapy (n=20) or cryopexy (n=22) and the fellow eyes were left untreated (n=42). the incidence of complications was compared between the three groups. results: cataracts developed in 7 (8.3%) eyes. corneal opacity and transient localized sub-retinal fluid around the break were observed in one (1.2%) eye each. other complications such as endophthalmitis and retinal detachment were not seen. there was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of complications. conclusion: vision-threatening complications following scleral perforation during strabismus surgery are uncommon and long-term follow-up is sufficient for management of this complication.