Primary vitrectomy for pseudophakic and aphakic retinal detachments

Accuracy of intraocular lens calculations based on fellow-eye biometry for phacovitrectomy for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments

OBJECTIVES

To determine the accuracy of using fellow-eye biometry for intraocular lens calculations for phacovitrectomy for macula off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.

METHODS

Retrospective case review of phacovitrectomies for consecutive macula off retinal detachments over 10 years. Optical and/or ultrasound biometry was performed for affected and fellow eyes. Prediction error was determined by calculating the difference between predicted and actual refractive outcomes. Results from fellow- and same-eye biometry were compared.

RESULTS

Forty-two eyes were included. The mean prediction errors for fellow- and same-eye biometry were -0.01 ± 1.09 and -1.22 ± 2.32 dioptres, respectively, indicating a myopic shift for same eye biometry calculations. The mean absolute prediction errors for fellow and same eye biometry were 0.73 ± 0.80 and 1.57 ± 2.08 dioptres, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

When appropriate, intraocular lens calculations using fellow-eye biometry for phacovitrectomy for macula off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments are accurate and better than those from same-eye biometry.

A 21-Year Study of Vitreoretinal Surgery for Aphakic Retinal Detachment: Long-Term Surgical Outcomes and Complications

PURPOSE

To determine the characteristics and outcomes of primary retinal detachment (RD) surgery in aphakic patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty eyes with primary aphakic RD (ARD) in 51 patients.

METHODS

A consecutive series of patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery for primary rhegmatogenous ARD was analyzed retrospectively between 1997 and 2018 at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), surgical outcomes, and complications.

RESULTS

Mean BCVA improved from 1.31 to 1.08 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR; P = 0.081) over a mean follow-up period of 8.2 years. Macula-off retinal detachments showed significantly improved BCVA from 1.72 to 1.1 logMAR (P = 0.007). Mean age was 38.8 years, and the most common cause of aphakia was congenital cataract surgery (55%). The macula was attached in 45% eyes, and grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) was present in 12%. Operations performed were vitrectomy (88%), combined vitrectomy and scleral buckle (8%), and encirclement (3%). The final anatomic success rate was 88%, and PVR was a significant predictor of redetachment (P = 0.03; odds ratio, 20.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.8-152.2). Raised intraocular pressure was the most common postoperative complication at 30%, with a rate of de novo postoperative glaucoma of 6.7% at final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

We report high rates of primary and overall anatomic success for surgery in ARD surgery. Grade C PVR was a positive predictor for surgical failure. Final visual outcomes were limited by ocular comorbidity, and we report significant improved visual outcomes for macula-off ARD.

[Treatment of retinal detachment of the pseudophak: vitrectomy without episcleral indentation versus ab externo surgery]

Several factors predispose to the occurrence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, including cataract surgery, myopia, and degenerative lesions of the peripheral retina as well as eye trauma. This study aims to compare the anatomical and functional outcome of the two surgical techniques (AB interno vs AB externo) in our Hospital. We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital Mohamed VI in Marrakech, over a period of 3 years, ranging from January 2013 to December 2015. During the study period we compared two groups of people: the first group undergoing surgery by an external approach (cryoapplication of the dehiscences with episcleral indentation) while the second undergoing surgery by endo-ocular approach. Group A or AB externo group included 26 eyes (26 patients) while Group B or vitrectomy with internal tamponade group included 22 eyes (22 patients). In the AB externo group, the average age was 54.92 years against 51.64 years in the AB interno group, with a slight predominance of males in both groups. After the first surgery, retinal reapplication was obtained in both groups with no significant difference, (about 80.76% in Group A versus 81.82% of the second group). In both groups failure was caused advanced vitreoretinal proliferation (4 cases), de novo breaks (3 cases) and breaks which had not been detected on first examinations (2 cases). All these cases underwent reoperation by AB interno approach: patients of group A underwent complete vitrectomy with revision of the indentation +/- internal limiting membrane peeling with internal gas tamponade while patients of group B underwent complementary vitrectomy with dissection of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and an internal tamponade with silicone oil. After a mean follow-up period of 12 months, there was no significant difference in visual acuity between the 2 groups, with more than one third of the patients who had regained visual acuity between 1/10 and 5/10 (about 34,61% in AB externo group and 36,36% in AB interno group). Given the technological advances in vitrectomy, the current trend is the endo-ocular surgery however ab-externo surgery is mainly used in the treatment of retinal detachment with visible breaks which can be easily treated with indentation without advanced vitreoretineal proliferation (PVR A-B).

Anatomical and Functional Results Following 23-Gauge Primary Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: Superior versus Inferior Breaks

PURPOSE

In this retrospective study, we evaluated the anatomical and functional outcomes of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment primarily treated with pars plana vitrectomy in regard to the location of the breaks. Methods. 160 eyes were enrolled in this study, divided into two groups based on break location: the superior break group (115 eyes) and the inferior break group (45 eyes). The main endpoint of our study was the anatomical success at 3 months following surgery.

RESULTS

Primary retinal reattachment was achieved in 96.5% of patients in group A and in 93.3% in group B (no statistically significant difference, OR 1.98, 95% CI: 0.4, 7.7). Mean BCVA change and intraoperative complication rate were also not statistically significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05, OR: 1.0, 95% CI: 0.9, 1.01, resp.). Statistical analyses showed that macula status, age, and preoperative BCVA had a significant effect on mean BCVA change (p = 0.0001, p = 0.005, and p = 0.001, resp.).

CONCLUSION

This study supports that acceptable reattachment rates can be achieved using PPV for uncomplicated RRD irrespective of the breaks location and inferior breaks do not constitute an independent risk factor for worse anatomical or functional outcome.

Missed retinal breaks in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

AIM

To evaluate the causes and associations of missed retinal breaks (MRBs) and posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

METHODS

Case sheets of patients undergoing vitreo retinal surgery for RRD at a tertiary eye care centre were evaluated retrospectively. Out of the 378 records screened, 253 were included for analysis of MRBs and 191 patients were included for analysis of PVD, depending on the inclusion criteria. Features of RRD and retinal breaks noted on examination were compared to the status of MRBs and PVD detected during surgery for possible associations.

RESULTS

Overall, 27% patients had MRBs. Retinal holes were commonly missed in patients with lattice degeneration while missed retinal tears were associated with presence of complete PVD. Patients operated for cataract surgery were significantly associated with MRBs (P=0.033) with the odds of missing a retinal break being 1.91 as compared to patients with natural lens. Advanced proliferative vitreo retinopathy (PVR) and retinal bullae were the most common reasons for missing a retinal break during examination. PVD was present in 52% of the cases and was wrongly assessed in 16%. Retinal bullae, pseudophakia/aphakia, myopia, and horse shoe retinal tears were strongly associated with presence of PVD. Traumatic RRDs were rarely associated with PVD.

CONCLUSION

Pseudophakic patients, and patients with retinal bullae or advanced PVR should be carefully screened for MRBs. Though Weiss ring is a good indicator of PVD, it may still be over diagnosed in some cases. PVD is associated with retinal bullae and pseudophakia, and inversely with traumatic RRD.

Effect of symptom duration on outcomes following vitrectomy repair of primary macula-off retinal detachments

PURPOSE

To examine the effect of symptom duration on visual and anatomical outcomes following pars plana vitrectomy repair of primary macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series. All eyes underwent repair of macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with a 20-gauge, 23-gauge, or 25-gauge standard 3-port pars plana vitrectomy. Eyes with previous retinal surgery, giant retinal tear, Grade C or higher proliferative vitreoretinopathy, or less than 6 months of follow-up were excluded from the study. The main outcome measure studied was final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as dependent on the duration of macular detachment symptoms. The secondary outcomes studied were single surgery anatomical success and complication rates. Visual acuity analysis was performed on all eyes that were pseudophakic by the final follow-up visit.

RESULTS

Overall, 81 eyes of 81 patients met inclusion criteria, with a mean follow-up length of 55 months (range, 6-171 months) and mean duration of macular detachment symptom of 12 days (range, 1-64 days). The mean final BCVA was 20/40 (range, 20/20 to hand motion), with 70% (n = 57) of all patients obtaining 20/40 or better final BCVA. Patients with symptom duration of 6 days or less achieved better final BCVA (mean 20/25, n = 34) than patients with longer symptom duration (mean 20/50, n = 47) (t-test, P = 0.0030; α = 0.005). After 7 days of macular detachment, no significant difference was seen in final BCVA (t-test, P > 0.05). The overall single surgery anatomical success rate was 88% (71 of 81 eyes). There was no correlation between the single surgery anatomical success rate and duration of macular detachment symptom (Fisher's exact test, P > 0.10).

CONCLUSION

Primary pars plana vitrectomy repair results in good final visual outcome for patients with primary macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Surgical repair within 6 days of the symptom onset yielded better visual outcomes. After 7 days, visual outcome was not affected by the timing of the surgical repair. Anatomical outcome following pars plana vitrectomy repair is not affected by symptom duration.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treatment guidelines

This paper outlines general guidelines following the initial diagnosis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. These include preoperative evaluation, treatment, possible intra- and post-operative complications, retinal re-detachment, and all therapeutic options available for each case. Treatment of the traumatic retinal detachment is also described, due to its importance and peculiarities. Treatment or prophylactic guidelines are suggested for the different types of retinal detachment described. These are based on both the experience of the ophthalmologists that have participated in preparing the guidelines, and also on evidence-based grading linked to bibliographical sources. However, these guidelines should not be interpreted as being mandatory. Given that there is a wide spectrum of options for treatment of retinal detachment, the surgeons' experience with one or other surgical technique will be of utmost importance in obtaining the best surgical result. As guidelines, they are intended as an additional aid to the surgeon during the decision-making process, with the expectation that the final choice will still be left to the surgeon's judgment and past experience.

Retrospective comparison of 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy to 20-gauge vitrectomy for the repair of pseudophakic primary inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To compare anatomical and functional outcomes of 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) to standard 20-gauge 3-port PPV for the treatment of pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with inferior breaks.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 78 consecutive eyes from 78 patients undergoing primary vitrectomy with a minimum of 3-month follow-up. Thirty patients underwent 25-gauge PPV and 48 patients underwent 20-gauge PPV from May 1993 to July 2008. Variables and outcome measures included patient demographics, retinal reattachment, best-corrected visual acuity, macular status, postoperative intraocular pressures, and surgical complications.

RESULTS

Preoperative characteristics were similar in both groups. Single operation success rate was 25/30 (83.3%) for 25-gauge cases and 43/48 (89.6%) for 20-gauge cases (P = 0.50). Transient hypotony occurred in 6/30 25-gauge eyes and 1/48 20-gauge eyes (P = 0.01), whereas hypertension occurred in 10/30 25-gauge cases and 15/48 20-gauge cases. All but 2 eyes were attached at final follow-up (97%). At final follow-up, mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.28 and 0.32 for the 25-gauge and 20-gauge groups (P = 0.74).

CONCLUSION

Outcomes of 20-gauge versus 25-gauge PPV for the management of pseudophakic inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were not significantly different, with hypotony being the most significant postoperative complication in the 25-gauge group as compared with the 20-gauge group.

Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of pediatric retinal detachments with lens disorders

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of eyes with retinal detachments with lens disorders and compare them to eyes with retinal detachments without lens disorders.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of 42 eyes of 37 children who had retinal detachments with lens disorders was performed. Eyes were compared based on epidemiological data, characteristics of retinal detachment, and anatomical and functional surgical outcomes and were then compared to 254 eyes with retinal detachment without lens disorders.

RESULTS

In eyes with lens disorders, the retina was reattached after the first operation in 13 (31%) eyes and at the end of the intervention in 22 (52%) eyes. Surgical and visual outcomes appeared to be slightly better in the subluxation and dislocation group compared with cataract and aphakia or pseudophakia groups. In eyes without lens disorders, the retina was reattached in 202 (80%) eyes after the first intervention and in 228 (90%) eyes at the end of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric retinal detachment with a lens disorder is associated with unsatisfactory surgical and visual outcomes compared to those without lens disorders. Primary internal and external approaches are suggested in children with complicated retinal detachment with lens disorders.

Delayed foveal reattachment in scleral buckle surgery for inferior retinal detachment

The study evaluates the prevalence and course of subfoveal serous detachment (SSD) following successful retinal reattachment surgery. SSD was commonly seen in postprimary scleral buckle eyes for inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment vs none in the primary pars plana vitrectomy group, irrespective of the break localization.

Décollements de rétine récidivants après vitrectomie en première intention chez le patient pseudophake

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD) recurrence after primary vitrectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a prospective nonrandomized consecutive case series study, evaluating two series presenting to our clinic with pseudophakic RD from 1998 to 2004 (103 eyes of 97 patients). The study included 24 consecutive pseudophakic eyes treated with gas vitrectomy surgery with placement of an encircling band from January 1998 to December 2000 (group A) and 79 consecutive pseudophakic eyes treated with gas vitrectomy surgery with no encircling band from January 2001 to December 2004 (group B). Pre- and postoperative characteristics were analyzed in both groups. In the cases of postoperative RD recurrence, we particularly analyzed the pre- and postoperative risk factors, as well as the anatomic and functional outcome.

RESULTS

Visual acuity improved in 74/103 (71.8%) eyes from both groups postoperatively. Recurrence of RD after primary vitrectomy occurred in eight of 103 (7.8%) eyes in both groups. More specifically, two of 24 (8.3%) eyes in group A and six of 79 (7.6%) eyes in group B presented a recurrence after gas vitrectomy with encircling band and gas vitrectomy alone, respectively. Among these eight eyes, four eyes (50%) presented proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) at the time of initial vitrectomy, while all eyes presented PVR at the time of recurrence (one grade B, seven grade C). These eyes required two additional interventions on average. Five eyes (62.5%) required silicone-oil tamponade for a good anatomic reapplication.

DISCUSSION

These results show that recurrence after primary vitrectomy for pseudophakic RD is most often related to the presence of PVR before or after the first intervention. This series reports a success rate of 91.7% and 92.4%, respectively, for group A and B, thus demonstrating the efficacy of vitrectomy in the treatment of pseudophakic RD. This study also shows a nonsignificant difference in the recurrence rate among patients treated by gas vitrectomy and those undergoing gas vitrectomy in association with encircling band placement, which raises the question of the usefulness of an additional encircling band in pseudophakic RD.

Tailored vitrectomy and laser photocoagulation without scleral buckling for all primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments

AIM

To investigate the anatomical and functional results and the complications in eyes operated on using vitrectomy without scleral buckling for all forms of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

METHODS

All cases of primary RRD at the University Hospital of Lund, Lund, Sweden, treated by one surgeon during a period of 3 years were retrospectively reviewed. In 131 (98%) of 134 consecutive cases, a final follow-up record of 3-14 months was obtained, and these eyes were included in the study. The surgical protocol was tailored for each case and consisted of vitrectomy, laser photocoagulation and tamponade. Preoperative and intraoperative variables were analyses for risk for redetachment and postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

RESULTS

Complete reattachment was achieved in 87% of cases (114/131) after one operation and in 95% cases after > or =1 operation. A primary detachment of >1 quadrant was the only significant risk factor for redetachment (p<0.05). The most common cause of redetachment was progressive PVR. Significant risk and factors for PVR postoperatively were a poor preoperative visual acuity and a high number of laser effects during surgery (p<0.05). The visual acuity for the total number of eyes, macula-off eyes, and pseudophakic as well as phakic eyes, improved significantly. The visual acuity for macula-on eyes did not change significantly. Six patients developed ocular hypertension and another 6 an epiretinal membrane. Three patients reported a visual field defect. Increased lens opacification was seen in 64 of the 94 (68%) phakic eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

The tailored vitrectomy protocol is well suited to all types of RRD. Increased lens opacification in phakic eyes is common, but visual acuity is considerably improved in phakic as well as pseudophakic eyes. PVR development postoperatively is related to the extent of laser treatment, indicating that the protocol may be even further optimised in the future.

Primary pars plana vitrectomy versus scleral buckle surgery for the treatment of pseudophakic retinal detachment: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the anatomical and functional outcome of scleral buckle (SB) surgery with that of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) alone in the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD).

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, 150 eyes of 150 patients with pseudophakic RD and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) stage B or less were randomized to SB surgery (75 eyes) or primary PPV (75 eyes). SB surgery involved break localization, cryotherapy, placement of a circumferential 240 style 2.5-mm solid silicone band, combined with a local buckle when indicated, and transscleral drainage of subretinal fluid. PPV included extensive vitreous removal, perfluoro-n-octane injection or endodrainage of subretinal fluid to flatten the retina, cryopexy treatment of breaks, and fluid/air exchange with injection of 20% SF6. Postoperative follow-up was 1 year. Break diagnosis, operating time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, retinal reattachment rate for single as well as multiple surgeries, axial length changes, and best-corrected visual acuity at 1 year after surgery were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

The number of eyes that were diagnosed with additional breaks inter-operatively was higher in the PPV group (P=0.004, chi test). Mean operating time was significantly less (P=0.0001, t-test) in the PPV group. With a single surgery, the retina was reattached in 62 eyes (83%) in the SB surgery group and in 71 eyes (94%) in the PPV group (P=0.037, Fisher exact test). With subsequent surgeries, final anatomical reattachment was achieved in 71 cases in the SB surgery group and in 74 cases in the PPV group (P=0.37, Fisher exact test). Mean axial length change at 1 year was 0.95 mm in the SB surgery group and 0.1 mm in the PPV group (P=0.0001, t-test). Mean final best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) was 0.40 in the SB surgery group and 0.33 in the PPV group (P=0.26, t-test).

CONCLUSIONS

Primary PPV offers potential advantages over SB surgery in the treatment of pseudophakic RD, including less operating time, accurate diagnosis of breaks, higher reattachment rate with a single surgery, and no postoperative axial length changes. Retinal reattachment rate with multiple surgeries and final visual acuity at 1 year were similar for SB surgery and PPV.

Resources involved in managing retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy

PURPOSE

To report the differences in cost of treatment and outcome in retinal detachment (RD) cases with and without proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

METHODS

Analysis of clinical trial databases of RD observed in 190 eyes of 190 patients. Eyes were classified as no PVR, developing PVR, or established PVR. For each eye, total cost of treatment undertaken on Moorfields Eye Hospital vitreoretinal unit, final retinal status, and best-corrected visual acuity were recorded.

RESULTS

Management of patients who developed PVR involved approximately double the resources of RD without PVR. Eyes with pre-exiting PVR had similar resource input to those with RD without PVR. Patients who developed PVR had a mean of 3.7 operations (including subsequent cataract surgery) compared to 1.8 and 2.1 respectively for noncomplicated RD and pre-existing PVR. Anatomic success and visual outcome was significantly worse in eyes with PVR.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of eyes that developed PVR after initial surgery cost significantly more than eyes with no PVR or established PVR (P < 0.01). Improvements in the management of RD aimed at preventing PVR and advances in PVR treatment may have significant financial as well as clinical benefits.

Primary retinal reattachment surgery: anatomical and functional outcome in phakic and pseudophakic eyes

AIM

To compare the anatomical and functional success of primary scleral buckling, performed either alone or in combination with vitrectomy, for primary retinal detachment (RD) in phakic eyes and in eyes had undergone uneventful phacoemulsification and had received posterior chamber lens implantations.

METHODS

A total of 243 consecutive patients were included in this retrospective, nonrandomized comparative study. In all, 165 phakic and 78 pseudophakic individuals with primary RD underwent scleral buckling alone or in combination with vitrectomy and were followed up for 6 months. Pre-, intra- and postoperative findings including anatomical success, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), complications, and the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), macular pucker, or secondary cataracts were recorded. Cases requiring more than one surgical intervention were defined having failed, although further surgical intervention might have led to success.

RESULTS

At 6 months after scleral buckling alone, the anatomical success was similar in phakic (88.98%) and pseudophakic (87.65%) eyes (log rank=0.310). The corresponding results after scleral buckling with vitrectomy were 82.13 and 77.63% for phakic and pseudophakic eyes, respectively (log rank=0.799). At 6 months after scleral buckling alone, BCVA was similar in phakic and pseudophakic eyes (0.62+/-0.30 vs 0.70+/-0.29; P=0.227). Likewise, after scleral buckling with vitrectomy, BCVA did not differ significantly (P=0.322) between phakic (0.34+/-0.32) and pseudophakic eyes (0.50+/-0.27).

CONCLUSION

The anatomical and functional outcome of primary retinal reattachment surgery, involving scleral buckling alone or in combination with vitrectomy, is similar in phakic and pseudophakic eyes.

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.

Primary vitrectomy for pseudophakic retinal detachment: a prospective non-randomized study

PURPOSE

To compare the anatomic and functional results of primary vitrectomy alone or vitrectomy-scleral buckling for pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD). Vitrectomy permits a detailed view of the peripheral retina, so otherwise undetectable holes or additional small lesions can be found which, left untreated, may cause a residual RD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-four consecutive pseudophakic eyes with pseudophakic RD were operated by vitrectomy and encircling band (Group I) and 27 additional cases were operated on by vitrectomy alone (Group II). Internal subretinal fluid drainage, using liquid perfluoro-n-octane, endolaser, and/or cryocoagulation and fluid-air exchange with SF6 20%, was applied in all cases. Preoperative findings and intraoperative and postoperative complications as well as final results were analyzed.

RESULTS

Preoperatively undetected retinal holes were identified in 7 of the 51 eyes and additional retinal holes were found in 21. The mean follow-up was 14 months for Group I and 11.5 months for Group II. The retina was successfully reattached with a single operation in 22 of 24 eyes (92%) in Group I. One eye had a recurrence of RD due to an unsuccessfully treated preexisting retinal tear. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) was observed in one case with recurrence of RD. In both cases, a second operation achieved retinal reattachment. In Group II, the retinas were attached with a single operation and visual acuity improved by an average of four or more lines in 62.5% of the vitrectomy-buckling group and in 55.5% of the vitrectomy group. The most frequent complication was a transient hypertony, in 21 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment of pseudophakic RD, combining vitrectomy and scleral buckling or vitrectomy alone, achieves very good anatomic and functional results. The advantages include more efficient detection of the peripheral detachment causing retinal lesions, and a lower redetachment rate than after extraocular surgery only.

Retinal detachment in East Africa

PURPOSE

To report the causes of retinal detachment in an African setting and the outcome after surgery.

DESIGN

Noncomparative interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 361 eyes in 345 patients.

METHODS

Data were collected from patients' case notes. A minimum of 2 months' follow-up was available for 254 eyes. Risk factors for poor anatomic or visual outcome were analyzed by logistic regression.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary anatomic success, which was defined as an attached retina at least 2 months after the initial surgery, without any additional interventions; final anatomic success, defined as an attached retina at least 2 months after the latest intervention; and visual outcome, defined as the corrected visual acuity at least 2 months after the last operation.

RESULTS

The macula was detached at presentation in 332 (91.9%) eyes. In 203 (56.2%) eyes, the retina had been detached for >1 month. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR)-grade C1 or worse-was present in 63 (17.5%) eyes. Thirty eyes (8.3%) had giant retinal tears. Ninety-five patients (27.5%) were blind (<20/400 in the better eye) at presentation. The retina was successfully reattached with 1 operation in 186 (73.2%) eyes. The most frequent cause of primary failure was missed breaks or new breaks. The final anatomic success rate in eyes observed for at least 8 weeks after the last operation was 88.2%. Giant retinal tear and PVR were significant independent predictors of anatomic failure. In eyes with successfully reattached retinas, 63.9% achieved 20/200 vision or better. Among successfully reattached macula-off detachments, risk factors for a poor visual outcome (<20/200) were macular hole, duration of retinal detachment >1 month, and poor preoperative acuity. Of 74 blind patients with 2 months' follow-up, only 23 (31.1%) remained blind at the latest follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Retinal detachment is a treatable cause of blindness in Africa. Despite late presentation and complex pathology, surgical repair is frequently successful and often restores navigational vision. Greater emphasis should be given to the recognition and treatment of retinal detachment in regional training programs for ophthalmologists and primary eye care workers.

Interventions in pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

With refinement of vitrectomy techniques over the past 30 years, the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) has transitioned from the almost exclusive use of extraocular techniques to the present time in which intraocular interventions are available and, in some practices, enjoy almost exclusive use for primary repair of RRD. Except for those situations in which a retinal detachment is associated with obvious immediate complications related to the cataract surgery, the considerations for the treatment of pseudophakic RRD are quite similar to those of phakic RRD. The current options are: use of an extraocular buckling device, vitrectomy-related procedures, intraocular gas injection with associated retinopexy, and combinations of these. Disagreement on the ideal intervention for pseudophakic retinal detachment is not uncommon and particularly so in those RRDs which lie somewhere in the spectrum between complex and simple. As is so often the case in the surgical treatment of disease, there may not be one ideal technique for a particular type of RRD; but knowledge of alternatives logically increases the likelihood of a successful result. The goal of this paper is to outline the clinical factors shown to be of importance in deciding which technique will have the greatest chance at not only achieving retinal re-attachment but also in optimizing long-term vision.