Abstract
Purpose::
To investigate the anatomic and visual acuity (VA) outcomes of pneumatic retinopexy (PR) versus scleral buckling (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair in patients with good presenting VA.
Methods::
Records were reviewed for all patients with RRD and presenting VA of 20/30 or better who underwent PR or SB between January 2000 and June 2006 at a single academic center.
Results::
The study included 16 patients who underwent PR and 26 who underwent SB; median follow-up was 6 months (range, 2-12 months) for each group. The mean time to retinal reattachment was 2 days after PR versus 6 days after SB. A second procedure for RRD repair was performed in 1/16 eyes in the PR group and 2/26 eyes in the SB group; at final follow-up, the retina was completely attached in all PR eyes and in 25/26 SB eyes. Mean presenting VA was 20/23 in each group. At 1, 3, and 6 months, mean postoperative VA was 20/24, 20/23, and 20/23 in the PR group and 20/160, 20/40, and 20/140 in the SB group. A refractive change of 1.50 spherical diopters or greater was observed in all SB eyes. Visually significant adverse effects other than refractive change were observed in 2/16 PR eyes and 12/26 SB eyes. The mean time to achieve a postoperative VA of 20/30 or better was 5 days after PR versus 97 days after SB.
Conclusions::
PR and SB may both be associated with good anatomic and visual outcomes following RRD repair in patients with good presenting VA. PR may be associated with faster and more complete visual recovery and a lower incidence of adverse effects.
Keywords: retinal detachment • retina