Open-globe penetrating injuries with intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) represent a common and severe category of ocular trauma encountered in clinical practice (Fine et al., 2022). Complex IOFBs—defined as non-magnetic or weakly magnetic materials, as well as foreign bodies exceeding 5 mm in size located within the posterior segment—pose substantial surgical challenges in ophthalmology (Ma et al., 2022). Inadequate management of such cases frequently results in complications including retinal detachment and ocular atrophy. Numerous strategies have been proposed in clinical practice to enhance the surgical outcomes of IOFB removal, encompassing diverse approaches, ongoing debates, and technological advancements in treatment modalities, including discussions on current practice models, areas of dispute, and advances in the management of IOFBs (Ucan et al., 2021; Ohlhausen et al., 2024).

Endocryocoagulation, a technique utilizing low-temperature freezing to achieve hemostasis and tissue adhesion, has been employed in vitreoretinal surgery, particularly for the removal of complex IOFBs. In clinical applications, 20-gauge (20G) endocryocoagulation has been used to assist in the extraction of large, complex foreign bodies (Au et al., 2025; Kumawat and Sahay, 2022). However, its direct impact on retinal safety—including functional and histological effects—remains poorly understood, with no systematic studies reported to date both in China and internationally.

This study aims to fill the gap in the current literature regarding the safety data of intraocular cryocoagulation on the retina. By using New Zealand white rabbit models, we systematically assessed how different cryocoagulation parameters affect retinal function and histological integrity, with the objective of informing safer application methods in clinical settings. Our findings not only provide new insights into the mechanism of action of this technique, but also explore its potential application value in dealing with complex intraocular foreign bodies.