What procedures are employed to destroy the ciliary body and decrease aqueous humor production?

The correct answer identifies cryoablation, cyclophotocoagulation, and cyclocryotherapy as procedures used to destroy the ciliary body, which is essential for reducing the production of aqueous humor.

Cryoablation utilizes freezing temperatures to selectively damage the ciliary body tissue, thereby diminishing its ability to produce aqueous humor, which can help manage conditions like glaucoma. Cyclophotocoagulation employs laser energy to achieve a similar effect, targeting the ciliary body to effectively decrease aqueous humor output. Cyclocryotherapy, like cryoablation, uses extreme cold to ablate parts of the ciliary body, further contributing to the reduction of intraocular pressure by lowering fluid production.

In contrast, the other choices involve different mechanisms or focus on other aspects of ophthalmic surgery that are not primarily aimed at reducing aqueous humor production through direct ciliary body destruction. For example, laser iridotomy and trabeculectomy are procedures related to the drainage of aqueous humor rather than its production. Understanding these procedures and their specific functions is crucial for effective glaucoma management strategies.