Preferences for Treatment Modalities of Simple Rhegmatogenous Tetinal Detachment in Korea

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this survey is to assess the current practice patterns of vitreoretinal surgeons in Korea regarding the repair of uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. METHODS: Preferences of vitreoretinal surgeons regarding the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were obtained via electrical mail or mail survey of members of The Korean Retina Society. They were asked which treatment would they prefer for a hypothetical retinal detachment. RESULTS: The majority of respondents selected a scleral buckling procedure for a primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with superior retinal break. As the details of the hypothetical detachments became more complicated with myopia, vitreous hemorrhage, or lattice degeneration and additional tear with a positive family history, the respondents selected a scleral buckling procedure with greater frequency. No correlation was identified surgeon's practice career and preferences of procedures. If there were partially precluded fundus detail in pseudophakic retinal detachment, about 50% of respondents selected vitrectomy with or without scleral buckling combined. CONCLUSIONS: From this survey, we found that most members of The Korean Retina Society prefer scleral buckling for repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. About a third of members selected pneumoretinopexy for primary procedure. Vitrectomy was considered frequently in the cases with vitreous hemorrhage or with pseudophakia.