cyclitic membrane in traumatized eyes: the techniques and results of vitrectomy surgery

purpose: to introduce the technique and results of vitrectomy surgery with removal of cyclitic membrane by placement of radial cuts over the membrane in traumatized eyes. methods: vitrectomy in 8 eyes of 8 patients after penetrating ocular trauma revealed that fibrovascular tissue was present over the pars plicata. to remove the membrane, radial cuts were placed over the membrane first and then the pieces were removed by vitrectom. pre- and post-operative visual acuity (va), applanation tonometry results, and ophthalmic examination results were retrieved from hospital records of the patients. results: the patients included 5 males and 3 females. age range was 2-22 years (median; 11.5 years). all eyes had sustained penetrating globe injury involving the sclera 11 to 90 days (median; 23 days) before the operation. two eyes had undergone vitrectomy once before. preoperative va was light perception or hand motion in 7 eyes and 7 eyes were hypotonic before the operation. extent of the cyclitic membrane was from 150 to 360 degrees (median; 200 degrees).  patients were followed for 6-18 months (median; 12 month). at the last visit, va was 20/60 or more in 6 eyes and iop was normal in 7 eyes (8-20 mmhg, median; 11 mmhg). one eye was lost due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy. there were no other major retinal complications. conclusion: treatment of cyclitic membranes has always been difficult. the described technique of surgery had very good results in our patients.