Retinal detachment after cataract surgery. Predisposing factors

Novel technique of pupillary dilation during retinal detachment surgery in an eye with iris claw lens

Iris fixated intraocular lens (IOLs) have been used for Aphakia and capsular bag instability. The IOLs cause a postoperative non dilating pupil in most cases. We encountered such a case which presented with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. We describe a novel technique of operating for retinal reattachment in such a case using iris hooks passing in the potential plane between the IOL optic and the iris. The technique had advantages of obviating the need for IOL explantation, associated large corneal entry wound, allowing silicone oil tamponade by retaining an IOL-iris diaphragm, early visual rehabilitation, reduced surgical time, and avoiding multiple surgeries.

Retinal Detachment after Cataract Surgery: Retrospective Study of 57 Cases

The Authors studied the characteristics and the surgical results of 57 pseudophakic patients operated on between January 1989 and June 1991 for primary retinal detachment at the Department of Ophthalmology of the “Hotel Dieu de Paris Hospital”, with a postoperative follow-up of at least six months. The series included 23 eyes with posterior chamber IOL, 33 eyes with anterior chamber IOL. The ECCE with PC IOL group and the ICCE with AC IOL group had the same anatomical and visual prognosis.

Anatomical and functional outcomes of scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy in pseudophakic retinal detachment

Retinal detachment is the separation of the sensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium by subretinal fluid. There are several types of retinal re-attachment surgery, including scleral buckling (SB), pneumatic retinopexy, and vitrectomy (with or without SB). The objective of this study was to compare anatomical and visual outcomes between patients with pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil (SO) or perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas tamponade and pseudophakic RRD patients who underwent SB surgery. We evaluated retrospectively 101 pseudophakic RRD patients from a single center. The patients were classified into three groups according to the surgical procedure performed: PPV + Silicone - patients who underwent PPV with SO tamponade; PPV + Gas - patients who underwent PPV with perfluoropropane gas tamponade; and SB group - patients who underwent SB surgery. The groups were compared with regard to primary and final anatomical and visual outcomes. The number of patients in PPV + Silicone, PPV + Gas, and SB group was 39 (38.6%), 32 (31.7%), and 30 (29.7%), respectively. The mean follow-up period in PPV + Silicone, PPV + Gas, and SB group was 33.95 ± 23.58, 32.62 ± 10.95, and 33.76 ± 16.62 months, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the groups neither with regard to primary and final anatomical and visual success rates nor in relation to the recurrence rate of retinal detachment. According to our anatomical and visual outcome results, either of the three methods (i.e., PPV + Silicone, PPV + Gas, or SB) can be used in the treatment of pseudophakic retinal detachment.

Macula-On Versus Macula-Off Pseudophakic Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Following Primary 23-Gauge Vitrectomy Plus Endotamponade

AIM

To evaluate anatomical and functional outcomes of macula-on and macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after 23-gauge vitrectomy and gas endotamponade, in eyes after successful cataract surgery.

METHODS

Forty-six pseudophakic eyes of 46 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for RRD repair were included. Based on the severity degree and extension of the RRD, diluted C3F8, SF6 or C2F6 gases were used for endotamponade. Patients were followed 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery. Main outcome variables were functional and anatomic outcomes till 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy of grade B or C was observed in 43%. C3F8 was used in 59%, SF6 in 28% and C2F6 in 13%. Reattachment after the first intervention was achieved in 89%. Preoperatively, 63% of patients presented with fovea-off retinal detachment. No intraoperative complications were registered. Preoperatively, eyes with macula-on RRD had a logMar BCVA of 0.3 ± 0.6 compared with 1.2 ± 0.7 in the macula-off group (p = 0.01). The mean visual acuity significantly improved to 0.06 ± 0.1 logMar in macula-on eyes and to 0.2 ± 0.3 logMar in macula-off eyes at 12 months (p = 0.01 compared to baseline and p = 0.04 between both the groups). The mean final postoperative CRT was 318 ± 48 µm in the macula-on group compared with 305 ± 71 µm in the macula-off group (p = 0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Even morphological improvement after 23-gauge vitrectomy and gas endotamponade was comparable between macula-on and macula-off eyes, macula-off RRDs showed delayed visual rehabilitation. Both groups showed significant visual acuity improvement until 12 months, however, macula-on RRDs showed significantly more improvement than macula-off RRDs.

[Pseudophakic retinal detachment: how to manage?]

INTRODUCTION

Retinal detachment, a common complication of cataract surgery, requires urgent surgical treatment. The external approach combining retinopexy with scleral buckling remains the gold standard in the surgical management of pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD) without marked proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), although intraocular surgery is currently preferred by most of the authors. The purpose of this study is to compare the anatomical and functional results obtained with both techniques.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study compares the results of two techniques for treating pseudophakic retinal detachment: external surgery (group I), and vitrectomy with internal tamponade (group II). Ab-externo surgery was performed in 24 patients (24 eyes), while 22 patients (22 eyes) underwent primary vitrectomy. In order to make both groups comparable, we excluded recurrences of RD, vitreous hemorrhage and other media opacities, giant tears and initial grade C PVR. Minimum follow-up was 12 months. Postoperative variables analyzed and compared were the rate of initial and final anatomical success, final visual acuity, and causes of failure of the initial surgery.

RESULTS

The retina was reattached with a single operation in 21 eyes in group I (87.5%) and 19 eyes in group II (86.4%) (P=0.91). The causes of anatomical failure in both groups were proliferative vitreoretinopathy (4 cases) and secondary tears or tears not seen on initial examination (2 cases). For patients in group I, secondary surgery consisted of total vitrectomy with encircling buckle. Patients in group II underwent an additional vitrectomy (peeling of vitreoretinal proliferation, and silicone oil tamponade as necessary). After a mean follow-up of 12 months, the final examination noted a reattached retina in 23 eyes in group I (95.84%) and 21 eyes in group II (95.45%) (P=0.95). The final visual results were identical at comparable follow-up periods. Indeed, the final visual acuity was similar in the two groups with nearly 40% of patients having recovered visual acuity between 1/10 and 5/10 (P=0.98).

CONCLUSION

With regard to surgical treatment of pseudophakic retinal detachment, vitrectomy with internal tamponade provides anatomical and functional results comparable to those obtained with external surgery.

The learning curve for primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for pseudophakic retinal detachment

BACKGROUND

To assess the functional and anatomical outcome of primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in pseudophakic patients and to present the learning curve for this surgery in less experienced surgeons.

METHODS

We reviewed the charts of pseudophakic patients treated with primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with PVR<C in two academic centres by four surgeons (two more experienced and two less experienced surgeons) for 1 year. The primary endpoint was the reattachment rate with a single procedure by less experienced and more experienced surgeons. Then, to assess the learning curve of this treatment, we compared the results obtained in consecutive pseudophakic patients by less experienced surgeons at the beginning and after a 2-year training period.

RESULTS

First, 133 patient charts with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included. Retinal reattachment was achieved with a single surgery in 75.2% for all surgeons. This rate was 80.9% for more experienced surgeons compared to 70% for less experienced surgeons (p = 0.37). In another series of 239 patients operated on by less experienced surgeons, the success rate obtained at the beginning of the training period for less experienced surgeons significantly increased after 2 years (from 66.7% to 80%, p < 0.049).

CONCLUSION

Primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling is an effective procedure to treat pseudophakic retinal detachment. Less experienced surgeons need sufficient time to achieve acceptable success rates, reflecting the learning curve for this procedure.

Primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To report the anatomic and functional results of primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for the treatment of pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (PsRD).

DESIGN

Prospective, nonrandomized surgical technique study.

METHODS

One hundred eyes of 98 patients with PsRD were operated by vitrectomy alone. Internal subretinal fluid drainage, cryocoagulation and/or endolaser and fluid-air exchange with sulfur hexafluoride 20% was applied in all cases. The preoperative and postoperative characteristics were analyzed. Main outcome measures were anatomic success rates after initial surgical intervention and after reoperation for primary failures, visual outcome at the last follow-up visit, and complications.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up +/- standard deviation (SD) was 12 +/- 6.3 months (range, seven to 36 months). Mean final visual acuity +/- SD was 0.42 +/- 0.45 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) compared with 0.95 +/- 0.73 logMAR before surgery (P < .01). Mean number +/- SD of retinal breaks found before surgery was 1.36 +/- 1.12 (range, zero to five), and an additional 1.58 +/- 2.26 (range, zero to 15) retinal breaks were found during surgery. The retina was reattached successfully after a single surgery in 92 eyes (92%). Recurrence of retinal detachment occurred in eight eyes (8%), caused by proliferative vitreoretinopathy in six eyes (75%) and by new breaks in two eyes (25%). Final anatomic reattachment was obtained in these cases after a mean of 1.75 subsequent operations. Three eyes required permanent silicone oil tamponade so that final anatomic success was achieved in 97 eyes (97%). The most common postoperative complication was ocular hypertonia of more than 21 mm Hg, observed in 36 (36%) eyes, which was managed successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling provides a high anatomic success rate in eyes with PsRD and is associated with few complications.

Primary 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy in pseudophakic retinal detachment

AIMS

There are few reports on 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) in cases of pseudophakic retinal detachment. We conducted this study to report the anatomic and functional outcomes of 25-gauge TSV in the treatment of primary pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD).

DESIGN

Prospective, interventional case series.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with RD after cataract surgery with phacoemulsification were evaluated. Primary pseudophakic RDs with macular detachment and proliferative vitreoretinopathy Stage B or less were included in the study. Pars plana vitrectomy with the 25-gauge TSV system, perfluorocarbon liquid injection followed by air exchange, endolaser photocoagulation and sulfur hexafluoride gas (20%) injection were applied to all eyes.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up time was 9.2 months (range, six to 12 months). Retinal reattachment with a single operation was achieved in 93% of eyes and with additional surgery, the retina was reattached in 100% of eyes. Preoperative visual acuity was less than 20/200 in all eyes (range, hand motions to 20/400). Postoperative visual acuity was 20/40 or better in eight eyes (53%) and between 20/50 and 20/200 in seven eyes (47%). No severe hypotony was encountered and no sutures were required to close the scleral and conjunctival openings. Postoperative complications were macular pucker in one eye (7%) and cystoid macular edema in another eye (7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Primary 25-gauge TSV system appears to be an effective and safe procedure in the treatment of uncomplicated pseudophakic RD.

Anatomic and visual outcomes of scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy in pseudophakic and aphakic retinal detachment: six-month follow-up results of a single operation--report no. 1

PURPOSE

To compare the anatomic and visual results and complications of conventional scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy for management of pseudophakic and aphakic retinal detachment.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred twenty-five eyes of 225 patients with pseudophakic or aphakic retinal detachment.

INTERVENTION

Eligible eyes were assigned randomly either to conventional scleral buckling or primary vitrectomy without any buckle.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual results, retinal reattachment rate, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, macular pucker, cystoid macular edema, choroidal detachment, intraocular pressure, extraocular muscle dysfunction, and anisometropia.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 treatment groups regarding the single-operation retinal reattachment rate at the 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-month follow-up examinations. Patients in the buckle group had 28% greater likelihood of anatomic success compared with those in the vitrectomy group (odds ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-2.24), indicating no statistically significant difference. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy was the main cause of anatomic failure in both groups and occurred independent of the surgical technique used. Best-corrected visual acuity at the 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-month postoperative follow-up examinations showed no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. Six months after surgery, 12.8% of eyes in the buckle group and 11.3% of eyes in the vitrectomy group achieved visual acuity of 20/40 or better. The difference between the 2 groups was not statistically significant. Corresponding figures were 66.3% and 64.5% for visual acuity of 20/200 or better in the buckle and vitrectomy groups, respectively, again with no statistically significant difference. There were no statistically significant differences in rates of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Scleral buckling and primary vitrectomy without an encircling band have comparable results in pseudophakic and aphakic retinal detachment. The choice of surgical technique depends on various factors, including patient compliance, cost of surgery, experience and capability of surgeons, and availability of appropriate instrumentation.

Prognosis of pseudophakic retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To compare preoperative and postoperative findings in phakic and pseudophakic patients operated on for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD).

SETTING

Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

METHODS

This retrospective review comprised 120 pseudophakic patients and 280 phakic patients who had RD surgery during a 4-year period. An identical scleral buckling procedure was used for primary surgery in both groups. Cataract surgery had been performed using extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) in most eyes; phacoemulsification was used in 67.5% of the pseudophakic eyes. The mean follow-up was 13.5 months.

RESULTS

Pseudophakic patients with RDs presented with significantly worse preoperative visual acuity than phakic patients due to a higher frequency of total RDs and macula-off RDs. Retinal breaks were found significantly less frequently and reoperations were performed with a higher frequency in pseudophakic patients than in phakic patients. At 6 months, no differences between pseudophakic and phakic patients were found. The overall anatomic reattachment rate was 94% and 96% in the 2 groups, and the visual outcome was also identical, with a visual acuity better than 0.4 in about 60% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Pseudophakic patients presented with more extended RDs and with the macula detached more frequently. Retinal breaks were found less frequently. Despite these findings, the anatomic and visual prognosis of pseudophakic detachments was identical to that of phakic detachments.

Pars-plana vitrectomy alone vs vitrectomy with scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous pseudophakic retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To compare primary pars-plana vitrectomy (PPV) alone vs vitrectomy with an encircling scleral buckling procedure for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous pseudophakic retinal detachment (PsRD).

DESIGN

Prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study.

METHODS

All 71 eyes of 68 consecutive patients with PsRD presented to our service between 1998 and 2002 were offered either vitrectomy alone (group-A) or vitrectomy in combination with encircling scleral buckling procedure (group-B). Preoperative and postoperative patient characteristics were recorded in detail. Main outcome measures were reattachment with a single surgery, visual acuity, and reattachment surgery-related complications.

RESULTS

Retina reattachment with a single surgery was achieved in 97.78% in group A and 92.31% in group B. Visual acuity improved by 3 or more lines in 60% in group A and 69% in group B. Mean postoperative refractive error change (spherical) was -0.05 diopters in group A and -1.43 diopters in group B. Postoperative intraocular pressure on long-term follow-up was elevated in 4.44% (group A) and 34.61% (group B). Average follow-up was 12.45 months (+/-5.23 SD) ranging from 9 to 40 months. We detected additional breaks intraoperatively in 54.9% of cases (both groups).

CONCLUSIONS

Vitrectomy is an effective initial treatment for PsRD, whereas the benefit of an additional encircling buckling procedure is questionable.

Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes of Pseudophakic and Aphakic Retinal Detachments

We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of 20 pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD) patients (20 eyes) and 17 aphakic RD patients (17 eyes). Males were predominated in both groups. The time interval between cataract extraction and RD was 31 months on average in the pseudophakic group, 32 months with intact posterior capsule and 27 months with ruptured posterior capsule, and 148 months in the aphakic group. In 50% of cases with ruptured posterior capsule in the pseudophakic group, RD occurred within 1 year. The anatomic success rate was 95% in the pseudophakic group and 88% in the aphakic group. The most common cause of failure was the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Visual acuities more than 20/40 after RD surgery were found in 13 pseudophakic (65%) and 6 aphakic (36%) eyes. Aphakic patients were more inclined to have silent RD than pseudophakic patients because of their poor visual acuity. Post-operative follow-up is required especially for the first 1 year in cases of damaged posterior capsule due to the high incidence of RD during this period.

Pseudophakic retinal detachment

Pseudophakic retinal detachment is a rare, but potentially serious, complication of cataract surgery. The incidence of pseudophakic retinal detachment following current surgical techniques of cataract extraction, including extracapsular cataract extraction by nuclear expression and phacoemulsification, is lower than that found after intracapsular cataract extraction. The risk of pseudophakic retinal detachment appears to be increased in myopic patients, in those patients in whom vitreous loss had occurred at the time of cataract surgery, and in patients undergoing Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy. Most cases present to the clinician when the macula is already detached and the central vision is affected. When evaluating patients with pseudophakic retinal detachment, the fundal view is often impaired by anterior or posterior capsular opacification, reflections related to the intraocular lens, or poor mydriasis. Scleral buckling, pneumatic retinopexy, and primary pars plana vitrectomy, with or without combined scleral buckling, are the surgical techniques used to treat pseudophakic retinal detachment. Anatomical success rates are high after vitreo-retinal surgery for pseudophakic retinal detachment, although a smaller proportion of patients recover good vision following surgery.

Retinal detachment in eyes with vitreous loss and an anterior chamber or a posterior chamber intraocular lens: comparison of the incidence

PURPOSE

To compare the incidence of retinal detachment within 6 months of cataract surgery complicated by vitreous loss in eyes with a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) or an anterior chamber IOL (AC IOL).

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.

METHODS

In this retrospective consecutive nonrandomized comparative case series, all cases of cataract surgery complicated by vitreous loss between January 1991 and March 1998 were reviewed. Included were patients who had thorough anterior vitrectomy and primary IOL implantation and at least 6 months follow-up. Exclusion criteria were congenital and traumatic cataract, previous intraocular surgery, and previous retinal detachment. Patients receiving an unsutured single-piece poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) PC IOL formed the PC group, while those receiving flexible open-loop single-piece PMMA AC IOLs formed the AC group. The incidence of postoperative retinal detachment in the 2 groups was compared.

RESULTS

Of the 151 eyes of 149 patients, 66 received a PC IOL and 85 received an AC IOL. Two eyes (3.0%) in the PC group and 2 (2.4%) in the AC group developed retinal detachment; the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P = 1.00, Fisher exact test).

CONCLUSIONS

In eyes that have vitreous loss and thorough anterior vitrectomy, AC IOL implantation did not appear to increase the incidence of retinal detachment.

Biostatistical analysis of pseudophakic and aphakic retinal detachments

Removal of the crystalline lens increases the risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) by creating changes in the ocular environment that predispose to development of retinal breaks. The evolution of cataract surgery from intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) to extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification has reduced the incidence of RD, while advances in vitreoretinal surgery have resulted in improved outcomes when retinal detachment does occur. The incidence of RD varies between 0.4-3.6% for ICCE and between 0.55-1.65% for ECCE. In eyes having undergone phacoemulsification the incidence is similar to those of ECCE and ranges between 0.75-1.65%. In this article the authors review the incidence and risk factors associated with pseudophakic and aphakic RD. The risk factors discussed include pre-operative risk factors such as age, status of the fellow eye and myopia, and surgical risk factors such as vitreous loss, posterior capsular integrity and Nd : YAG capsulotomy.

Functional and anatomic outcome of retinal detachment surgery in pseudophakic eyes

PURPOSE

To determine the long-term anatomic and functional visual outcome of retinal detachment (RD) surgery in pseudophakic eyes after uncomplicated cataract surgery.

DESIGN

An interventional, retrospective noncomparative case series

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred thirty-eight consecutive patients who had undergone uncomplicated extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation followed by rhegmatogenous RD between 1990 and 1995.

METHODS

One hundred one eligible patients were examined (inclusion ratio, 73%) a median of 4.3 years after last RD surgery. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual fields, retinal status, and patient-rated visual outcome were recorded, the latter by a questionnaire that included self-reported satisfaction, trouble with vision, a modified Cataract Symptom Score, and the VF-14 Visual Functioning Index.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

BCVA, retinal attachment, diameter of visual field, modified Cataract Symptom Score, VF-14 score.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics of enrolled and nonenrolled patients were comparable, except that nonenrolled patients were older. When RD developed, 55 eyes had an intact posterior capsule, and 46 had a laser posterior capsulotomy (LCT). The BCVAs before (median, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [-logMAR] 1.2 versus 1.1, Snellen equivalent 0.063 versus 0.08) and after retinal surgery (median, -logMAR 0.46 versus 0.4, Snellen equivalent 0.35 versus 0.4) were comparable for eyes with and without LCT (P = 0.86). The retina was reattached with one procedure in 75 eyes (74%), with two procedures in 98 eyes (97%), and with three to five procedures in all eyes. The retina remained attached long term in 92 eyes (91%). Redetachment rate (9% versus 9%, P = 1.0) and visual field diameters were comparable for eyes with and without LCT. Overall, 80% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their binocular vision, and 62% had no or only a little trouble with binocular vision. Visual performance was similar regardless of presence or absence of LCT (median Cataract Symptom Score, 3.0 versus 3.0, P = 0.76; and median VF-14 score, 87.5 versus 87.5, P = 0.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Nine in 10 pseudophakic retinal detachments remain attached long term, and 8 in 10 patients are satisfied with their binocular vision after surgery. Even though secondary cataract and posterior capsulotomy can cause problems for the retinal surgeon, the anatomic and functional outcomes of pseudophakic RD are not influenced by capsulotomy.

Retinal detachment after phacoemulsification: a study of 114 cases

PURPOSE

To analyze the features of retinal detachment (RD) occurring after cataract surgery performed by Kelman phacoemulsification (KPE) and to identify any potential correlations between KPE intraoperative complications and the features of RD (incidence apart) as well as the final visual outcome.

DESIGN

Interventional consecutive case series.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 114 eyes of 114 consecutive patients with RD occurring after KPE and followed for 6 months or more after surgery.

RESULTS

Removal of posteriorly dislocated lens fragments during KPE by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was associated with a significantly shorter time interval between KPE and RD (3.89 vs. 15.7 months, P =.0044). Once RD occurred, no other statistically significant correlation between its features or the final visual outcome and KPE intraoperative complications (posterior capsular rupture, vitreous loss, posteriorly dislocated lens fragments) was detected. The overall anatomic reattachment rate was 94%. Only redetachment associated with the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) was significantly correlated with ultimate anatomic failure (P =.0036). A best-corrected visual acuity of 20/60 or better was achieved in 58 out of 114 eyes (51%). Three variables were independently correlated with visual results: more extensive RD (P =.0001), redetachment associated with the development of PVR (P =.0029), and failure to identify retinal breaks (P =.0114).

CONCLUSIONS

Posterior capsular rupture and vitreous loss during KPE do not seem to affect the features (incidence apart) or the final visual outcome of RD occurring afterwards, except for a shorter time interval between KPE and RD in eyes that underwent PPV to remove posteriorly dislocated lens fragments.

The expanding role of primary pars plana vitrectomy in the treatment of rhegmatogenous noncomplicated retinal detachment

The surgical management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment has evolved dramatically during the past 2 decades. Investigators have introduced and refined alternative techniques to scleral buckling surgery including pneumatic retinopexy and primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Rapid parallel developments in instrumentation, including wide-angle viewing systems, perfluorocarbon liquids, novel vitrectomy machines, intraocular tamponades, and endolaser photocoagulators have led to increasing sophistication in primary PPV surgical techniques for the treatment of rhegmatogenous uncomplicated retinal detachment. However, the precise role of primary PPV in new uncomplicated retinal detachment remains debatable owing to the lack of controlled randomized trials. This article examines primary vitrectomy treatment for rhegmatogenous uncomplicated retinal detachment and presents the specific types of retinal detachments for which primary PPV may be optimal, according to personal and reported results, the surgical instrumentation and technique, as well as the complications and limitations of this surgical method.

Phacoemulsification and modern cataract surgery

The techniques and results of cataract surgery have changed dramatically during the past three decades. In the USA, we have moved from intracapsular cataract extraction as the preferred technique to almost exclusively extracapsular techniques. Smaller incisions have become the standard, with phacoemulsification now being the method of choice for most surgeons. Along with these advances have come improved intraocular lens materials and designs, especially well suited for use with smaller incisions. Phacoemulsification as a method to remove the cataractous lens was first proposed more than 20 years ago. Advances in techniques and equipment have led to a dramatic increase in the popularity of phacoemulsification with increased safety and efficiency. Viscoelastic agents have been developed synchronously with modern phacoemulsification techniques, playing an integral role in the success of this new technology. Improved surgical techniques for removing the anterior lens capsule have decreased the incidence of both intraoperative and postoperative capsular complications. Nucleus removal, formerly performed primarily in the anterior chamber, is now performed in the posterior chamber, decreasing damage to the corneal endothelium. Improved wound construction allows many wounds to be left unsutured, and smaller wounds allow shorter recovery time and greater intraoperative control and safety. Intraocular lenses can have smaller optic sizes and still maintain accurate centration. Foldable intraocular lenses can take advantage of the smaller incision, even further shortening the time to visual recovery. Continual evolution of this technology promises to further improve patient outcomes after cataract surgery.

Retinal detachment following intracapsular and extracapsular cataract extraction. A comparative, retrospective follow-up study

In a retrospective study we reviewed the post-operative incidence of retinal detachment in a consecutive series of 762 eyes operated on with intracapsular cataract extraction and a consecutive series of 1351 eyes operated on with extracapsular cataract extraction. Follow-up time was 2 1/2-4 1/2 years in both series. The incidence of retinal detachment was 0.79% after intracapsular cataract extraction and 0.44% after extracapsular cataract extraction. The difference was not statistically significant. Age below 70 years was not statistically significantly correlated to retinal detachment.