Primary Retinal Detachment Surgery: Changes in Treatment and Outcome in an Austrian Tertiary Eye Center

Comparison of complications of intrascleral fixation according to the extent of vitrectomy

BACKGROUND

Intraocular lens (IOL) fixation is performed after intraoperative anterior or total vitrectomy. This study aimed to compare the intraoperative and postoperative complications of these two techniques.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 235 eyes that underwent intrascleral fixation surgery at our hospital between July 2014 and January 2021. The eyes were classified into the anterior vitrectomy group (A-vit group; 134 eyes) and the pars plana vitrectomy group (PPV group; 101 eyes). The age, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, observation period, preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure, and the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications were assessed.

RESULTS

Intrascleral fixation was performed more frequently in the PPV group, and a significant difference was observed between the eyes with a history of vitrectomy and eyes with scleral buckles (p = 0.00041). In terms of the incidence of postoperative complications following intrascleral fixation, the incidence of low intraocular pressure postoperative was higher in the PPV group than that in the A-vit group, and a significant difference was observed between the two groups (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The visual outcome and complications following intrascleral fixation did not differ according to the extent of vitreous excision.

Incidence and Risk Factors Affecting the Recurrence of Primary Retinal Detachment in a Tertiary Hospital in Spain

(1) Objective: To determine the incidence, visual outcomes and risk factors associated with the recurrence of primary retinal detachment (RD) in a tertiary hospital. (2) Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted, and data were collected on all eyes diagnosed with primary RD between January 2017 and December 2020. A detailed database was generated with data on anatomic and visual outcomes, and surgical technique information, for all the cases. (3) Results: 570 eyes with primary RD were included. Mean annual incidence of primary RD was 21.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Mean follow-up time was 465 (±410.5) days. Mean time to redetachment was 114.4 (±215.8) days, with the median being 35 days. Statistically significant variables related to a higher risk of recurrence were: male sex (p = 0.04), type of tamponade (p = 0.01), surgeon (p = 0.035), inferonasal (p = 0.002) and inferotemporal (p = 0.032) involvement, complex RD (p < 0.001) and ocular comorbidity (p < 0.001). More satisfactory final visual acuity (VA) in patients not suffering redetachment was associated with shorter duration of central vision loss. (4) Conclusions: Sex, type of tamponade, inferior detachment, RD complexity, surgeon and ocular comorbidity were identified as prognostic factors for recurrence. Worse final postoperative VA was found in patients referring central vision loss for more than 4 days before surgery.

Selection Criteria for Air Tamponade During Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Purpose

To compare air tamponade and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas tamponade during vitrectomy for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods

We reviewed 294 eyes with RRD treated with 25-gauge vitrectomy by a single surgeon between June 2011 and April 2018 retrospectively. The exclusion criteria for the proposed air tamponade selection were more than 2 weeks since onset, giant retinal tears, history of complications following cataract surgery, high myopia, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy classified as grade C or higher. We examined the differences in the therapeutic effect between the air group and SF6 group at 6-month follow-up.

Results

A total of 294 eyes were included in the study, 156 eyes in the air group and 138 eyes in the SF6 group. No difference was observed in the primary anatomical success rates between the air group (99.4%; 155/156 eyes) and the SF6 group (96.5%; 135/138 eyes; P = 0.102). Postoperative intraocular gas half-life was shorter in the air group (3.97 ± 0.87 days) compared with the that in the SF6 group (8.67 ± 1.47 days; P = 0.0001). The incidence of postoperative ocular hypertension was lower in the air group (19.9%; 31/156 eyes) than in the SF6 group (62.3% 86 /138 eyes; P = 0.0001).

Conclusion

We compared the criteria for proper selection between air and SF6 gas tamponade during vitrectomy for the treatment of RRD. Air tamponade was able to reduce the period of prone position and the risk of ocular hypertension without reducing the therapeutic effect.

Diagnosis and Management of Degenerative Retinoschisis and Related Complications

Degenerative retinoschisis is a common condition characterized by elevation of the inner layers of the peripheral retina. While uncomplicated retinoschisis (i.e. with no associated retinal layer breaks) is almost invariably a benign process, retinal detachment associated with isolated outer layer breaks (termed schisis-detachment) is fairly common. Historically, schisis-detachment has been treated with a variety of interventions ranging from retinopexy to intraocular surgery. Based on published descriptions of the natural history of the disease, these interventions are likely unnecessary in many cases and may place the patient's vision at unnecessary risk. Progressive symptomatic schisis-related retinal detachment, on the other hand, is a vision threatening condition that requires intervention. While clinical examination remains the mainstay of diagnosis, recent advances in multimodal imaging can provide supplemental information in subtle cases and may prove valuable for long-term disease monitoring. When evaluating patients with peripheral retinal elevation, it is important for ophthalmologists to make an accurate diagnosis and understand the risk-benefit ratio associated with intervention. Thus, we summarize the current literature on the natural history, clinical and imaging diagnosis, and surgical management of degenerative retinoschisis and its related complications.

Surgical Outcomes of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment with Different Peripheral Vitreous-Shaving Procedures

Purpose

To compare the surgical outcomes of vitreous surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after two different peripheral vitreous-shaving techniques are performed.

Methods

We reviewed 269 eyes with RRD that were treated with a 25-gauge vitrectomy by a single surgeon between June 2015 and May 2020. The exclusion criteria for the proposed air tamponade selection were as follows: more than two weeks since RRD onset, giant retinal tears, a history of complications following cataract surgery, high myopia, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy classified as grade C or higher. We examined the differences in the therapeutic effect between shaving under slit lamp microscope illumination (group A) and shaving under a wide-angle viewing system (group B).

Results

A total of 269 eyes were included in this study, with 146 eyes in group A and 123 eyes in group B. The primary anatomical success rates did not differ between group A (97.3%; 142/146 eyes) and group B (97.6%; 120/123 eyes; P = 0.102). However, the surgical time was significantly longer in group A (60.2 ± 17.1 min) than that in group B (46.9 ± 12.6 min) (P < 0.001). The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that surgical time was significantly correlated with using the wide-angle noncontact viewing system for vitreous shaving (adjusted R² = 0.248; beta [standard partial regression coefficient] = −0.447, P < 0.001), the number of retinal breaks (beta = 0.182, P = 0.001), and the quadrant of retinal detachment (beta = 0.205, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The surgical outcomes were similar regardless of the shaving procedure performed, and the surgical time was shortened by using the wide-angle noncontact viewing system for vitreous shaving.

Preoperative factors to select vitrectomy or scleral buckling for retinal detachment in microincision vitrectomy era

BACKGROUND

To determine the preoperative factors associated with selecting scleral buckling (SB) or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) in the era of microincision vitrectomy surgery.

METHODS

A nationwide, multicenter, observational study in the Japan Retinal Detachment Registry was done. From February 2016 to March 2017, 3446 cases were registered, and 3219 among them were analyzed. The factors related to the patient or surgeon were selected; the surgeon's factor included years of experience, number of cases registered, and current activity. The odds ratio (OR) for factors associated with SB or PPV was estimated by a mixed logistic regression model.

RESULTS

SB was selected in 24.2% (779/3219), PPV was in 71.5% (2238/3219), and PPV+SB was in 6.3% (202/3219). Multivariate analysis showed that age [< 70 years old, OR 4.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.34-7.79, P < 0.001], visual acuity [1.0+ (OR 7.41, 95% CI 3.47-15.82, P < 0.001)], pseudo-phakia (OR 4.83, 95%CI 2.11-10.56, P < 0.001), retinal tear (OR 6.92, 95% CI 4.83-9.92, P < 0.001), breaks at/near the vitreous base (OR 8.07, 95% CI 3.50-18.62, P < 0.001), 90+° retinal tear (OR 108.24, 95% CI 7.44-1574.34, P < 0.001), and number of breaks 4+ (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.95-5.09, P < 0.001), were significantly associated with selecting PPV over SB. The surgeons' activity defined as the number of cases experienced during the registry period was related to the selection of PPV (OR 3.83, 95% CI 2.11-6.93, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The choice of PPV for the RRD was associated not only with patients' preoperative factors but also the surgeon's activity. Active surgeons selected PPV more than SB.

Results of pars plana vitrectomy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with PVR grades A and B in high-myopic eyes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the results of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) without adjuvant buckling procedures for the primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with PVR grades A and B in high-myopic eyes.

METHODS

A retrospective review included 291 eyes treated for primary RRD from 2008 to 2016. The single surgery success rate (SSSR), the total number of surgeries, outcomes and complications were analysed between group of 67 eyes with high axial myopia (group A) and group of 224 eyes without high myopia (group B).

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 30.6 ± 22.8 months. The SSSR in group A was 82.1% and in group B was 86.2% (p > 0.05). The final reattachment rate and number of required surgeries were in group A 96.3% (3.1 surgeries) and in group B 96.0% (2.8 surgeries). The initial BCVA improved in group A from 1.58 to 0.58 LogMAR at year 3; and in group B from 1.21 to 0.34 LogMAR. In match-pair analysis of macula-off RRD, no significant difference of the CRT between groups A and B was observed within 3 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The anatomical success of primary PPV for RRD did not differ between high-myopic and non-high-myopic eyes in PVR grades A and B. However, functional results of high-myopic eyes are worse compared to eyes without high axial myopia.

Perfluorocarbon Liquid Vs. Subretinal Fluid Drainage during Vitrectomy for the Primary Repair of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: A Comparative Study

PURPOSE

To compare the anatomical and functional results achieved with subretinal fluid drainage (SRFD) and perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) use in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated by primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

METHODS

The study included 162 eyes of 162 patients who underwent PPV for RRD, either with PFCL (n = 108) or SRFD (n = 54). The two groups were matched in 2:1 ratio for age, gender, and lens status. Groups were compared for rates of retinal reattachment, visual improvement, and the occurrence of recurrent RRD and any other postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Both groups had a single surgery success rate of 90.7%, and 100% of retinas were reattached by the end of follow-up. Both groups had similar final VA (0.30 ± 0.39 logMAR in the SRFD group and 0.35 ± 0.44 in the PFCL group; p = 0.48) and degrees of visual improvement (0.64 ± 0.75 logMAR in the SRFD group and 0.59 ± 0.89 in the PFC group; p = 0.71). Complication rates were also similar between groups. The rate of additional interventions was higher (although not statistically significant) in the PFCL group than the SRFD group, due to cases of PFCL retention (4.6% vs. 1.8%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Both PFCL and SRFD achieved excellent results in terms of retinal reattachment and visual improvement, and have comparable safety profiles. A slightly higher rate of additional surgeries was found in the PFCL group. These findings indicate that PFCL are not necessary in routine PPV for RRD, as they do not improve the results achieved with SRFD and may be less cost-effective due to their higher price and potential for a higher rate of additional surgeries.