Purpose
To determine if any improvement in patient outcome exists with the use of heavy tamponade in the setting of a new inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
Methods
A review of every surgery performed by a single operator since August 2010 was performed to obtain those in which a new inferior rhegmatogenous detachment was repaired using retained perfluoron. Eyes with additional tears outside of the inferior five clock hours were excluded, as were eye with preexisting retinal pathology. Six charts fulfilled these requirements.
Results
Primary success rate 100% (6/6). 40% had improved visual acuity post-op. 83% retained acuity within one line. Phakic patient in need of cataract extraction. 50% required IOP management post-op, all had eventual return to baseline. None developed PVR postoperatively.
Conclusions
Use of heavy tamponade is anatomically effective for the repair of inferior retinal tears, however intraocular pressure management is one of the biggest drawbacks to this method. Another drawback is the need to return to OR for removal of tamponading agent. Newer, more inert materials will hopefully reduce the need for IOP management in the future. More patients are needed to validate these claims.
Keywords: 697 retinal detachment •
764 vitreous substitutes