Clinical Evaluation of Pneumatic Retinopexy

ABSTRACT

Result and complications were evaluated in 28 eyes of 28 patients who had undergone pneumatic retinopexy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment from December 1994 to May 1995 and were followed for at least 4 months. Twenty four eyes were phakic, one eye aphakic and three eyes pseudophakic. 0.3mlof perfluoropropane(4 eyes)or 0.45ml of sulfur hexafluoride(24 eyes)was injected. Mean follow-up time was 33.3 months. Perioperative complications included subconjunctival gas in 2 eyes, subretinal gas in 1 eye and delayed absorption of subretinal fluid in 5 eyes. Retinal reattachment was obtained in 22 eyes(79%) and final reattachment rate was 100% with an additional procedure of scleral buckle(4 eyes)or pars plana vitrectomy(2 eyes). Final visual acuity improved in 25 eyes(89%), and decreased in 2 eyes. Postoperatively following complications were noted;mild proliferative vitreoretinopathy(3 eyes), epiretinal membrane(1 eye), central retinal artery occlusion(1 eye), nucleosclerosis(4 eyes)and cataract operation(2 eyes). This result suggests that pneumatic retinopexy could be a good method for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.