Effects of ocular hypothermia: potential perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery

Abstract Purpose To summarize knowledge about the effects of experimental and iatrogenic hypothermia on ocular structures, with a specific focus on retinal consequences and therapeutical perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery. Materials and methods This review of the literature includes a section on...

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Main Authors: Emanuele Crincoli, Matteo Mario Carlà, Alfonso Savastano, Mariacristina Savastano, Raphael Kilian, Clara Rizzo, Tomaso Caporossi, Stanislao Rizzo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:International Journal of Retina and Vitreous
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-025-00667-4
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author Emanuele Crincoli
Matteo Mario Carlà
Alfonso Savastano
Mariacristina Savastano
Raphael Kilian
Clara Rizzo
Tomaso Caporossi
Stanislao Rizzo
author_facet Emanuele Crincoli
Matteo Mario Carlà
Alfonso Savastano
Mariacristina Savastano
Raphael Kilian
Clara Rizzo
Tomaso Caporossi
Stanislao Rizzo
author_sort Emanuele Crincoli
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose To summarize knowledge about the effects of experimental and iatrogenic hypothermia on ocular structures, with a specific focus on retinal consequences and therapeutical perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery. Materials and methods This review of the literature includes a section on the effects of low temperature on different ocular structures (sclera, choroid, retina, vitreous and ciliary body), a focus on the effect on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), retinal neurons and inflammation and a section about results of vitreoretinal surgery performed at low temperature. In vitro, animal and human studies were included. Results Temperature changes induce several regulatory responses within the eye, including modifications of intraocular pressure (IOP), local blood flow, cytokine secretion and cellular metabolism. Cooling of retinal structures has been demonstrated to induce beneficial effects including increased survival of RPE and retinal neurons. Vitreoretinal surgery performed at lower intraocular temperatures has shown positive effect on postoperative inflammation, even though the rebound effect of a sudden postoperative temperature increase seems to be detrimental. Conclusions Despite being a promising approach, vitreoretinal surgery performed under lower intraocular temperature conditions deserves refinement in its methodologies. Hopefully, new randomized clinical trials will provide indications on how to apply this technique in the safest and most effective way.
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spelling doaj-art-25ce763833644861b64bf49fc17e04812025-08-20T03:18:42ZengBMCInternational Journal of Retina and Vitreous2056-99202025-04-011111710.1186/s40942-025-00667-4Effects of ocular hypothermia: potential perspectives in vitreoretinal surgeryEmanuele Crincoli0Matteo Mario Carlà1Alfonso Savastano2Mariacristina Savastano3Raphael Kilian4Clara Rizzo5Tomaso Caporossi6Stanislao Rizzo7Ophthalmology Unit, “Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS”Ophthalmology Unit, “Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS”Ophthalmology Unit, “Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS”Ophthalmology Unit, “Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS”Ophthalmology Unit, University of VeronaDepartment of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of PisaVitreoretinal Surgery Unit, Isola Tiberina Gemelli Isola HospitalOphthalmology Unit, “Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS”Abstract Purpose To summarize knowledge about the effects of experimental and iatrogenic hypothermia on ocular structures, with a specific focus on retinal consequences and therapeutical perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery. Materials and methods This review of the literature includes a section on the effects of low temperature on different ocular structures (sclera, choroid, retina, vitreous and ciliary body), a focus on the effect on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), retinal neurons and inflammation and a section about results of vitreoretinal surgery performed at low temperature. In vitro, animal and human studies were included. Results Temperature changes induce several regulatory responses within the eye, including modifications of intraocular pressure (IOP), local blood flow, cytokine secretion and cellular metabolism. Cooling of retinal structures has been demonstrated to induce beneficial effects including increased survival of RPE and retinal neurons. Vitreoretinal surgery performed at lower intraocular temperatures has shown positive effect on postoperative inflammation, even though the rebound effect of a sudden postoperative temperature increase seems to be detrimental. Conclusions Despite being a promising approach, vitreoretinal surgery performed under lower intraocular temperature conditions deserves refinement in its methodologies. Hopefully, new randomized clinical trials will provide indications on how to apply this technique in the safest and most effective way.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-025-00667-4TemperatureHypothermiaRetinaRetinal pigment epitheliumGanglion cellsChoroid
spellingShingle Emanuele Crincoli
Matteo Mario Carlà
Alfonso Savastano
Mariacristina Savastano
Raphael Kilian
Clara Rizzo
Tomaso Caporossi
Stanislao Rizzo
Effects of ocular hypothermia: potential perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery
International Journal of Retina and Vitreous
Temperature
Hypothermia
Retina
Retinal pigment epithelium
Ganglion cells
Choroid
title Effects of ocular hypothermia: potential perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery
title_full Effects of ocular hypothermia: potential perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery
title_fullStr Effects of ocular hypothermia: potential perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery
title_full_unstemmed Effects of ocular hypothermia: potential perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery
title_short Effects of ocular hypothermia: potential perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery
title_sort effects of ocular hypothermia potential perspectives in vitreoretinal surgery
topic Temperature
Hypothermia
Retina
Retinal pigment epithelium
Ganglion cells
Choroid
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-025-00667-4
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