Surgical treatment of chemotic conjunctival prolapse following vitreoretinal surgery.

ABSTRACT

The development of marked conjunctival chemosis following vitreoretinal surgery may be due to extensive intraoperative cryopexy, prolonged surgical time, removal of edematous corneal epithelium, and postoperative face-down posturing for an intraocular gas bubble. The fine suspensory attachments of the conjunctival fornix may be disrupted by the hydraulic dissection of marked chemosis, leading to prolapse of the conjunctiva through the eyelids. This problem can be successfully managed by a combination of conjunctival fornix sutures to invaginate the prolapsed conjunctiva and temporary suture tarsorrhaphy.