Purpose:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for pseudophakic retinal detachment with unseen retinal breaks.

Material and Method:

In this single-centre, non-comparative study, 17 eyes of 17 patients who underwent PPV for pseudophakic retinal detachment with unseen retinal breaks between December 2003 and November 2008 were evaluated retrospectively. Eyes with exudative and tractional retinal detachment, and with media opacities due to vitreous hemorrhage or dense cataract were not included in the study. All eyes underwent PPV with contact wide-angle viewing system, identification of retinal break(s) with liquid perfluorocarbon, internal drainage of subretinal fluid, 3600 peripheral retinal endolaser photocoagulation and injection of silicone oil. Main outcome measures were anatomic success and visual outcome.

Results:

The mean follow-up time was 10.4 months (6-24 months). Primary anatomic success was achieved in 15 of 17 eyes (88.2%) with single operation. Final reattachment was attained in all of the eyes. The mean visual acuity was 2.15±0.27 logMAR preoperatively and 0.86±0.48 logMAR postoperatively (p<0.001). Visual acuity increased postoperatively in all eyes (100%). No major intraoperative complication was observed in any of the eyes. Postoperative complications were transient hypertension in 2 eyes (%11.8), macular pucker in 1 eye (%5.9) and cystoid macular oedema in 1 eye (%5.9).

Discussion:

PPV was observed to be safe and effective in the treatment of pseudophakic retinal detachment with unseen retinal breaks. Prospective studies with more number of patients and comparing PPV with other surgical procedures are required.

Keywords: Liquid perfluorocarbon, pars plana vitrectomy, retinal break, retinal detachment, silicone oil