A Result of Pneumatic Retinopexy for Pseudophakic Retinal Detachment

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of pneumatic retinopexy as a treatment method for pseudophakic retinal detachment. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of medical records of 38 patients who underwent pneumatic retinopexy using SF6 gas from January 2003 to December 2011 and who were observed during a follow-up period longer than 6 months. Primary and final success rates and final visual acuity were analyzed. Primary success was defined as retinal attachment at the last visit without additional surgery. Final success was defined as retinal reattachment at the last visit regardless of additional surgery. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 58.47 ± 17.00 years. All retinal tears were located in the upper retina (from 8 to 4 o'clock). Preoperative mean visual acuity was 1.17 ± 1.00 log MAR, and postoperative mean visual acuity was 0.42 ± 0.48 log MAR. The primary success rate was 61%, and patients with re-detached retina underwent repeat pneumatic retinopexy or other surgery such as scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy. At the final visit, all of the patients demonstrated successful results. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumatic retinopexy does not result in strabismus or refractive error, and the final success rate was 66% in our study. Therefore, pneumatic retinopexy can be considered as an effective management technique for some pseudophakic retinal detachment patients.