Abstract
Purpose::
To evaluate the success rate and complications of pneumatic retinopexy performed at a university hospital among pseudophakic and phakic eyes
Methods::
Interventional case series. Retrospective review of 52 patients who had pneumatic retinopexy performed by two retina surgeons the Tel Aviv Medical Center hospitals between 2002 and 2005. The primary outcome measure was anatomical reattachment of the retina with a single intervention. Secondary outcome measures included postoperative visual acuity and postoperative complications.
Results::
33 of 52 (63%) cases were successful in all patients. Among phakic eyes, success rate was 67% ( 26/39), but among pseudophakic eyes success rate was only 53% (7/13). In successful eyes visual acuity improved from 0.34 to 0.50. In unsuccessful first procedure visual acuity decline from 0.20 to 0.15.
Conclusions::
In this case series, pneumatic retinopexy was less effective for the repair of retinal detachment than most large published reports. Failure of pneumatic retinopexy followed by scleral buckle or pars plana vitrectomy negatively influence visual acuity at final follow up.
Keywords: retinal detachment • retina • vitreoretinal surgery