Which device uses liquid nitrogen and is often utilized to repair retinal detachments?

Which device uses liquid nitrogen and is often utilized to repair retinal detachments?

• A. Argon laser
• B. Nerve stimulator
• C. Cryotherapy unit
• D. Bipolar unit

Answer: (C)

Creating an adhesion around retinal tears is essential in retinal detachment repair. Cryopexy uses freezing to injure tissue around the tear, provoking inflammation and scar formation that tethers the retina to the underlying choroid and pigment epithelium, sealing the break. A cryotherapy unit delivers liquid nitrogen to freeze the targeted area, producing this adhesive scar. This contrasts with the argon laser, which uses heat to achieve photocoagulation rather than freezing; other devices listed serve different purposes in or outside the eye. Thus, the device that uses liquid nitrogen and is commonly used to repair retinal detachments is the cryotherapy unit.

Creating an adhesion around retinal tears is essential in retinal detachment repair. Cryopexy uses freezing to injure tissue around the tear, provoking inflammation and scar formation that tethers the retina to the underlying choroid and pigment epithelium, sealing the break. A cryotherapy unit delivers liquid nitrogen to freeze the targeted area, producing this adhesive scar. This contrasts with the argon laser, which uses heat to achieve photocoagulation rather than freezing; other devices listed serve different purposes in or outside the eye. Thus, the device that uses liquid nitrogen and is commonly used to repair retinal detachments is the cryotherapy unit.