Factors influencing anatomic and visual results in primary scleral buckling

Postoperative Results in the Treatment of Retinal Detachment with Scleral Buckling Surgery

BACKGROUND

The course after scleral buckling surgery is investigated in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Ethics Committee of Eastern Switzerland approved the retrospective single-center study (EKOS19/152, Project ID: 2019-02034). The primary endpoint is the anatomical reattachment of the retina 3 months after surgery. Secondary endpoints are visual acuity and the occurrence of intra- and postoperative complications. The patient files of all patients treated for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with scleral buckling surgery between January 2005 and December 2014 at the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen were included.

RESULTS

In 165 of 184 patients (89.7%), reattachment of the retina 3 months postoperatively was achieved by single scleral buckling surgery. Treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment improved patients' visual acuity by an average of 4.8 ETDRS letters. Intraoperatively, subretinal hemorrhage occurred in one patient. Postoperatively, interfering buckling material was removed in 24 patients (13.1%). A pars plana vitrectomy was performed in six patients (3.2%) due to epiretinal membrane, in two patients (1.1%) due to a macular hole, and in three patients (1.6%) due to disturbing vitreous opacities.

CONCLUSIONS

Scleral buckling surgery is an effective and relatively low complication method for the treatment of selected patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Visual outcomes of macula-involving rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in patients with and without age-related macular degeneration

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and concomitant age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is not well known. The purpose of this study is to compare visual outcomes in macula-off RRD in eyes with AMD versus a group of comparison eyes without AMD.

METHODS

This was a retrospective chart review of 1149 patients. A total of 191 eyes met study criteria, 162 non-AMD eyes (controls), and 29 AMD eyes. The main outcome measure was postoperative visual acuity following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), scleral buckle (SB), or combined PPV/SB in control eyes versus AMD eyes. This was compared using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference in postoperative visual acuity by AMD status, with those without AMD having a worse visual outcome overall (p = 0.0048). A similar percentage of AMD versus non-AMD eyes achieved vision better than 20/40. More patients in the non-AMD group achieved a final visual acuity between 20/40 and 20/200. Of patients with AMD, more had vision worse than 20/200 though 58% maintained functional vision (better than 20/200). Those without AMD had a higher frequency of Count Fingers (CF), Hand Motion (HM), Light Perception (LP), or No Light Perception (NLP) vision (p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Though postoperative visual acuity was worse overall in the non-AMD group with a higher frequency of patients having final vision of CF, HM, LP, or NLP, this is likely a function of the difference in sample size and composition between the two groups. Importantly, this study suggests AMD patients can expect similar outcomes to non-AMD patients after RRD repair. We conclude that AMD patients can achieve functional vision after RRD surgery, similar to those without AMD.

CHARACTERISTICS AND SURGICAL OUTCOMES OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT IN OLDER ADULTS: A Multicenter Comparative Cohort Study

PURPOSE

To describe characteristics and outcomes of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in older adults (age ≥ 80).

METHODS

Consecutive patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), scleral buckling (SB), or PPV/SB in the Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes Study were evaluated. Outcome measures included single surgery anatomic success and visual acuity.

RESULTS

Of 2,144 patients included, 125 (6%) were 80 years or older. Compared with younger patients (age 40-79), older adults were more likely to be pseudophakic (P < 0.001), have macula-off detachments (P < 0.001), and have preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P = 0.02). In older adults, initial surgery was PPV in 73%, PPV/SB in 27%, and primary SB in 0%. Single surgery anatomic success was 78% in older adults compared with 84% in younger patients (P = 0.03). In older adults, single surgery anatomic success was 74% for PPV and 91% for PPV/SB (P = 0.03). The final mean logMAR was lower for older adults (0.79 [20/125] vs. 0.40 [20/40], [P < 0.001]). In older adults, the final mean logMAR for eyes that underwent PPV was 0.88 (20/160) compared with 0.50 (20/63) for PPV/SB (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Octogenarians and nonagenarians presented with relatively complex pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Single surgery anatomic success and visual outcomes were worse compared with younger patients, and PPV/SB had better outcomes compared with PPV alone.

Scleral buckle surgery in Ghana: a decade comparison of the anatomic and visual outcome

Purpose

To compare the anatomic and visual outcome of scleral buckle (SB) surgery in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital between 2002 and 2005 and 2011 and 2014.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective comparative study, the medical records of patients who have undergone SB for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment from January 2002 to December 2005 (group A) and from January 2011 to December 2014 (group B) in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital were examined. The clinical history, surgical techniques, and outcomes of treatment were analyzed. The main outcome measures were primary anatomic success (retina reattached for at least 3 months postoperatively after a single procedure), overall anatomic success (combined primary anatomic success and success following revision of SB with at least 3 months follow-up), mean postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and complications.

Results

One hundred fifty-eight eyes (71 eyes in group A and 87 eyes in group B) were treated with SB in this study. The mean duration of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was 105.5 days. Thirty-four (21.8%) of fellow eyes had BCVA worse than 6/60 at presentation. The primary anatomic success was comparable between the two groups; 70% in group A and 67.9% in group B (P=0.79). The overall anatomic success was also comparable between the two groups (76.7% in group A vs 79.8% in group B) (P=0.788). The mean postoperative BCVA in logMAR was significantly better than the mean preoperative BCVA (P<0.0001). Group B had significantly better mean BCVA (P=0.002) and longer duration of follow-up (P<0.0001) compared with group A at the last follow-up visit.

Conclusion

The anatomic success of SB between the two time periods was comparable. A longer postoperative duration of follow-up was associated with a better visual outcome after SB.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery in elderly people over 70 years old: visual acuity, quality of life, and cost-utility values

Background and Purpose

To evaluate the influence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery on elderly patients in terms of visual acuity, vision-related quality of life and its cost-effectiveness.

Methods

Elderly patients over 70 years old, who were diagnosed and underwent RRD surgery at Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, from January 1, 2009, through January 1, 2013. The participants received scleral buckling surgery and vitreous surgery with or without scleral buckling under retrobulbar anesthesia. We followed the patients for 1 year and collected best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), vision-related quality of life, and direct medical costs data. Utility values elicited by time-trade-off were analyzed to determine the quality of life. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained in life expectancy were calculated and discounted at 3% annually. Costs per QALY gained were reported using the bootstrap method. Further analyses were made for two age groups, age 70–79 and age over 80 years. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test stability of the results.

Results

98 patients were included in the study. The BCVA significantly improved by 0.53±0.44 (Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR)) at the 1-year postoperative time point (p<0.001). Utility values increased from 0.77 to 0.84 (p<0.001), and an average of 0.4 QALYs were gained in the life expectancy. Costs per QALY gained from the RRD surgery were 33,186 Chinese Yuan (CNY) (5,276 US dollars (USD))/QALY; 24,535 CNY (3,901 USD)/QALY for the age group of 70–79 years and 71,240 CNY (11,326 USD)/QALY for the age group over 80 years.

Conclusions

RRD surgery improved the visual acuity and quality of life in the elderly patients over 70 years old. According to the World Health Organization’s recommendation, at a threshold of willingness to pay of 115,062 CNY (18,293 USD)/QALY, RRD surgery is cost effective in the elderly patients.

Trends and factors related to outcomes for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery in a large asian tertiary eye center

PURPOSE

To describe trends and outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a large Asian tertiary eye center.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 1,530 eyes with primary retinal detachment between 2005 and 2011 managed at the Singapore National Eye Center by one of the following: scleral buckling (SB), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and combined SB and PPV (SB + PPV). Anatomical and functional outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

There was a trend toward PPV and PPV + SB as the primary reattachment procedure from 2005 to 2011. The primary anatomical success rate for PPV (78.6%) was worse than that for SB (88.8%) or SB + PPV (89.0%, P = 0.000). Final anatomical success rates were similar for all 3 procedures: SB 97.7%, PPV 95.2%, and SB + PPV 96.4%. Better functional success was achieved in the SB group (86.1%) than both the PPV (72.5%) and SB + PPV groups (77.5%, P = 0.000), partly attributable to the less complex nature of retinal detachments in the SB group. Older age and proliferative vitreoretinopathy were related to the poor functional outcomes in both phakic and pseudophakic eyes.

CONCLUSION

There was an increasing trend toward PPV and PPV + SB as the primary retinal reattachment surgery from 2005 through to 2011. High rates of anatomical and functional outcomes were achieved with SB, PPV, and SB + PPV, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and older age were negatively correlated with the functional success in both phakic and pseudophakic eyes.

[Proliferative vitreoretinopathy: pathophysiology and clinical diagnosis]

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) remains one of the most common causes of failed retinal detachment (RD) surgery. Many histological and clinical studies have highlighted the chain of events leading to PVR: cellular migration into the vitreous cavity, cellular differentiation, myofibroblast proliferation and activation, synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins, then contraction of preretinal tissues. The development of PVR can be explained schematically by cellular exposure to growth factors and cytokines (particularly retinal pigment epithelial cells and glial cells), in the context of break-down of the blood-retinal barrier (inflammation, choroidal detachment, iatrogenic effect of cryotherapy and surgery) and of cellular contact with the vitreous. Although the pathophysiology of PVR is now better understood, its severity remains an issue. A systematic search for preoperative PVR risk factors allows the most suitable therapeutic option to be chosen.

Impact of Duration of Macula off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment on Visual Outcome

Objective: To assess impact of duration of macular detachment on visual outcome after scleral buckling for retinal detachment with macula off.

Methods: Prospective, descriptive case series was conducted at Ophthalmology Department Dow University of Health Sciences, Civil Hospital Karachi and Al Noor Eye Clinic Karachi from May 2012 to June 2013. Five groups were made according to period of macular detachment. Best corrected Visual acuity (BCVA) was main outcome measure. P value < 0.001 was considered significant.

Results: Mean duration of macula off was 17.0±4.0 (SD) days. Mean pre-operative VA in patients with immediate, early, intermediate, delayed or late group were 2/60, 2/60, Counting figure (CF) 3 meters (m), CF2 m and Hand Movement (HM) respectively. Only 48.48% patients of those repaired within 7 to15 days had significantly better (P < 0.001) BCVA (6/9-6/18) than the other groups. Only 19.35% patients of intermediate group achieved BCVA 6/18-6/24 (P < 0.001) which was comparatively better than the delayed and late group.

Conclusions: Scleral buckle surgery for macular-off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment has good post-operative visual outcomes if repaired within two weeks.

Clinical variables associated with failure of retinal detachment repair: the European vitreo-retinal society retinal detachment study report number 4

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors associated with failure of anatomic reattachment in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair.

DESIGN

Nonrandomized, multicenter, collaborative study.

PARTICIPANTS

Primary procedures for 7678 rhegmatogenous retinal detachments reported by 176 surgeons from 48 countries.

METHODS

We recorded specific preoperative clinical findings, repair method, and outcome after intervention. We performed univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses to identify variables associated with surgical failure.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Final failure of retinal detachment repair (level 1), remaining silicone oil at study conclusion (level 2), and need for additional procedures to repair the detachment (level 3).

RESULTS

We analyzed 7678 cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair. Presence of choroidal detachment or significant hypotony was associated with significantly higher level 1 failure rates when grade 0 or B proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) was present and higher level 2 failure rates, regardless of PVR status (P<0.05). Excluding cases with choroidal detachment or hypotony, increasing PVR was associated with increasing level 1 failure rates. The difference between grade B and C-1 PVR was significant (P = 2 × 10(-6)). No difference was observed in level 1 failure rates when operated eyes were phakic versus pseudophakic. Level 1 failure was significantly higher when all 4 quadrants of retina (4.4%) were detached than when only 1 quadrant (0.8%) had subretinal fluid. With grade B or C-1 PVR, cases with large or giant tears had significantly higher level 1 failure rates. No association was observed between number of retinal breaks and failure rates. Multivariate analysis showed grade C-1 PVR, 4 detached quadrants, and presence of choroidal detachment or significant hypotony were independently linked with a greater level 1 failure rate; the presence of a smaller retinal break was associated with a lesser level 1 failure rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Choroidal detachment, significant hypotony, grade C-1 PVR, 4 detached quadrants, and large or giant retinal breaks were independent explanatory variables of retinal detachment repair failure. In contrast to earlier studies, the significance of phakic versus pseudophakic status was not confirmed.

Retinal detachment in southwest Ethiopia: a hospital based prospective study

Purpose

The incidence of retinal detachment in Blacks is generally considered to be low though there are few supporting studies in Africa. This study, thus, aimed at describing the clinical profile of patients with retinal detachment in Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based study was done on all consecutive retinal detachment patients who presented to Jimma University Hospital over six months period. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect patients’ sociodemographic characteristics and clinical history. Comprehensive anterior and posterior segment eye examinations were done and risk factors were sought for. Statistical tests were considered significant if P < 0.05.

Results

A total of 94 eyes of 80 patients (1.5%) had retinal detachment (RD) and about 69% of patients were symptomatic for over a month before presentation. The mean age was 41.4 years (SD ±16.5). Fourteen patients (17.5%) had bilateral RD. At presentation, 61 eyes (64.9%) were blind from RD and 11 (13.8%) patients were bilaterally blind from RD. Rhegmatogenous RD was seen in 55 eyes (58.5%) and tractional RD in 22 eyes (23.4%). The most common risk factors were ocular trauma (32 eyes, 34.0%), myopia (23 eyes, 24.5%), posterior uveitis (13 eyes, 13.8%) and diabetic retinopathy (9 eyes, 9.6%). Most retinal breaks (25 eyes, 43.1%) were superotemporal and horse-shoe tear was the most common (19 eyes, 20.2%). Macula was off in 77 eyes (81.9%) and 38 eyes (69.1% of RRD eyes) had grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Macular status was significantly associated with PVR (P=0.011), and duration of symptoms (RR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.059-1.475, P=0.040).

Conclusions

A significant numbers of patients with ocular problem had retinal detachment, and nearly two third of the patients presented late. Trauma and myopia were the most important risk factors. People should be educated to improve their health seeking behavior and use eye safety precautions to prevent ocular trauma.

Scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment study (SPR study): Risk assessment of anatomical outcome. SPR study report no. 7

PURPOSE

The 'Scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment study' (SPR study) is a randomized multicentre trial comparing primary vitrectomy (PV) and scleral buckling surgery (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). This subanalysis was conducted to identify risk factors associated with anatomical outcomes.

METHODS

Relating the anatomical success results at the 1-year follow-up visit to pre- and intraoperative findings using multivariate statistical methods.

RESULTS

In the phakic subtrial, anatomical success was negatively associated with the number of breaks (p < 0.0001), break extension > 1 clock hour (p = 0.0005) and intraoperative use of cryotherapy (p = 0.0484). It was positively associated with retinal breaks with irregular edges (p = 0.0353) and subretinal fluid drainage (p = 0.0155). In the pseudophakic/aphakic subtrial, anatomical success was negatively associated with the number of retinal breaks (p = 0.0004) and previous YAG capsulotomy (p = 0.0256), and the combined effect of the surgical procedure and intraoperative use of laser (p = 0.0229).

CONCLUSION

Primary anatomical success is an important result for patients undergoing RRD surgery. Our data demonstrate that the final anatomical outcome is related to a higher preoperative number of breaks and cryotherapy in phakic eyes. Additional risk factors varied between phakic and pseudophakic subgroups. Our findings may be used to facilitate the prognosis of future patients with RRD.

[Risk factors for failure of scleral buckling in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. A Moroccan series]

PURPOSE

To evaluate risk factors for failure of scleral buckling in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in an adult Moroccan population.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 432 eyes of 422 patients undergoing scleral buckling (SB) for primary RRD between 2001 and 2009 was carried out. Statistical analysis of risk factors for failure was performed using binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 43 ± 15 years, and 45.4% were myopic. The median recurrence was at 10 months. The final failure rate was 22.5%. Univariate analysis shows that significant risk factors for failure were extent of RRD ≥ 3 quadrants (P<0.001), advanced PVR (P<0.001) and worsening PVR postoperatively (P<0.001). In the multivariate model, the only significant risk factor for failure was the worsening postoperative PVR (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that worsening of PVR after surgery is the major risk factor for failure of SB in RRD. Thus, it is necessary to recognize the risk factors contributing to PVR and to plan the most appropriate, earliest and least traumatic surgical treatment of RRD.

Scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment study (SPR Study): predictive factors for functional outcome. Study report no. 6

PURPOSE

To identify risk factors associated with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 1 year after initial surgery following primary vitrectomy (PV) and scleral buckling surgery (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

METHODS

Relating the final BCVA at the 1-year follow-up visit to pre- and intraoperative findings in the "randomized, prospective, multicenter clinical trial comparing scleral buckling versus primary vitrectomy for repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment" (SPR Study) using multivariate statistical methods.

RESULTS

In the phakic subtrial, final BCVA is associated with the number of breaks (p = 0.0259), duration of symptoms (p = 0.0476), baseline BCVA (p = 0.0002), retinal detachment central to major vessels arcades (p = 0.0088), total detachment (p = 0.0027), and chain formation of breaks (p = 0.0129). In the pseudophakic/aphakic subtrial, final BCVA is related to the number of retinal breaks (p = 0.0010), secondary cataract or central capsular fibrosis (p = 0.0141), intraoperative laser photocoagulation (p = 0.0373), and inferior detachment with breaks below the 4 and 8 o'clock positions (p = 0.0173).

CONCLUSION

Final BCVA is the most important outcome for patients undergoing RRD surgery. Our results demonstrate that the final BCVA is related to a higher preoperative number of breaks in both subtrials. Additional risk factors varied between phakic and pseudophakic subgroups.

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.

Visual Recovery after Scleral Buckling Procedure for Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE

To evaluate prognostic factors for visual and anatomic outcomes, including complications after scleral buckling procedure (SBP) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.

DESIGN

Retrospective, consecutive, nonrandomized, comparative interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients undergoing SBP for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment performed by a single surgeon.

METHODS

The patients' medical records were reviewed. Preoperative and intraoperative factors analyzed for their association with visual acuity and anatomic outcomes included macular detachment, duration of macular detachment, preoperative visual acuity, lens status, refractive error, extent of detachment, number of breaks, internal gas tamponade, and drainage of the subretinal fluid. Secondary outcomes included frequency of further surgery, complications, and fellow eye retinal detachment. The fellow eye of the patients was excluded from consideration of prognostic factors.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Best-corrected visual acuity at 2 months and at final follow-up examination as well as anatomic factors including retinal reattachment at 1 day, 2 months, and last follow-up examination.

RESULTS

There were 672 patients studied, including 457 (68%) with macular detachment. The use of gas, drainage of subretinal fluid, and lens status did not influence final anatomic or visual results. Macular detachment was the most important prognostic factor for anatomic (P = 0.031) and visual acuity success (P<0.001). Better preoperative visual acuity (P<0.001), fewer quadrants involved by the detachment (P<0.001), and lack of high myopia (P = 0.001) were important positive prognostic factors for visual acuity. The duration of macular detachment was not of prognostic value up to 30 days' duration.

CONCLUSIONS

Visual recovery after retinal reattachment was most dependent on macular involvement. Duration of macular detachment had surprisingly little influence on postoperative visual acuity.

Anatomic outcome of scleral buckling surgery in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To evaluate the factors affecting the anatomic success of treatment of retinal detachments (RD) by scleral buckling surgery.

METHODS

One-hundred and two eyes of 102 patients with rhegmatogenous RD operated on by scleral buckling surgery were included in the study. Results were analyzed according to the anatomic status of the retina at the most recent follow-up examination. The chi-squared test was used to determine the relationship between preoperative and intraoperative variables and anatomic results, and the relative risk of failure was determined for each variable.

RESULTS

Retinal reattachment was achieved in 85 of 102 eyes (82.5%) after initial surgery. The success rate for anatomic reattachment was 95% after two operations. After three operations reattachment was achieved for 98 eyes (96%). Predictive factors for anatomic failure (P<0.05) were the presence of grade C(1) PVR and multiple breaks.

CONCLUSION

Grade C(1) PVR and multiple breaks were found to be significant risk factors for anatomic failure in rhegmatogenous RD treated by conventional buckling surgery.

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.

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.

Retinal detachment in developing countries

Treatment of retinal detachment has been a low priority in developing countries. It is thought to be less common in India and Africa than in Europe and N America. The aetiology and presentation of retinal detachment in the Third World are affected by genetic and environmental factors. In general, patients are more likely to present late, and complex detachments are relatively more common. Despite these problems, the results of surgery are encouraging, with more than 80% final anatomical success, and over 60% of re-attached retinas obtaining vision of 6/60 or better. The management of retinal detachment in developing countries can be improved by strengthening training programmes and by developing and equipping centres to carry out retinal surgery.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy: risk factors and pathobiology

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is still a major cause of failure of retinal detachment surgery. Despite a dramatic increase in our pathobiologic knowledge of PVR during the last 10 years, little of this information has been used to modify the surgical management of the disease, and, thus, the anatomic and functional results are still unsatisfactory. Collaborative research involving clinicians and basic researchers must be encouraged. PVR must be considered a multifactorial disease caused by interaction of several cells and intra- and extraocular factors. Therefore, therapeutic options based on the inhibition of one factor or phenomenon may be regarded with scepticism. To prevent PVR, it is necessary to determine the factors involved in its development, and because of its relatively small prevalence, large, prospective, multicenter studies seem necessary. In addition, clinical research must not be underestimated. PVR affects both sides of the retina and the retina itself, a point to which little attention has been paid and that is critical for surgical results. Therefore, a new classification that provides information about clinical relevance, such as the evolutionary stages of the disease (biologic activity) and the degree of surgical difficulty (location of the fibrotic process), seems necessary.