PNEUMATIC RETINOPEXY IN RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT

Advances in Polysaccharide- and Synthetic Polymer-Based Vitreous Substitutes

The vitreous humour is a gel-like structure that composes the majority of each eye. It functions to provide passage of light, be a viscoelastic dampener, and hold the retina in place. Vitreous liquefaction causes retinal detachment and retinal tears requiring pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous substitution. An ideal vitreous substitute should display similar mechanical, chemical, and rheological properties to the natural vitreous. Currently used vitreous substitutes such as silicone oil, perfluorocarbon liquids, and gases cannot be used long-term due to adverse effects such as poor retention time, cytotoxicity, and cataract formation. Long-term, experimental vitreous substitutes composed of natural, modified and synthetic polymers are currently being studied. This review discusses current long- and short-term vitreous substitutes and the disadvantages of these that have highlighted the need for an ideal vitreous substitute. The review subsequently focuses specifically on currently used polysaccharide- and synthetic polymer-based vitreous substitutes, which may be modified or functionalised, or employed as the derivative, and discusses experimental vitreous substitutes in these classes. The advantages and challenges associated with the use of polymeric substitutes are discussed. Innovative approaches to vitreous substitution, namely a novel foldable capsular vitreous body, are presented, as well as future perspectives related to the advancement of this field.

Pneumoretinopexy versus scleral buckling in retinal detachments with superior breaks: A comparative analysis of outcome and cost

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to study single surgery reattachment rate, refractive shift, surgical time, cost, and complications of pneumoretinopexy (PR) compared to scleral buckling (SB) in rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) with superior breaks.

Methods:

Data of RRD with superior breaks, from 2013 through 2016, treated either with PR or SB surgery at a tertiary eye-care center were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment outcomes, procedural costs, refractive shift, surgical time, and complications, namely, cataract and glaucoma, were analyzed.

Results:

Thirty-two cases treated by PR (n = 15) and SB surgery (n = 17) fulfilled the selection criteria. Macula off RRD (91%) was the commonest presentation. Baseline parameters like duration of vision loss, presenting vision, and ocular characteristics were comparable. Single surgery retinal reattachment (66.7% PR vs. 76.5% SB) was analogous (P = 0.698). Retinal reattachment with secondary intervention was achieved in all cases at the last follow-up. Average vision gain in logMAR of 0.8 in PR and 0.6 in SB was not significantly different (P = 0.645) between the two groups, with SB group having a 1.9 Dioptre myopic shift and PR group none. Surgical time was shorter in PR versus SB at 15 versus 85 min and surgical cost (including additional surgery) was 50% less in PR. Complications like cataract progression (P > 0.99) and glaucoma (P = 0.71) were analogous among the groups. Horse-shoe tears were associated with failed primary surgery in 60% of PR and 75% of SB procedures.

Conclusion:

In RRDs secondary to superior breaks, PR proved to be faster, more economical, and less tissue manipulative than scleral buckle surgery, with equivalent efficacy and safety profile.