ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical characteristics and visual outcomes of eyes developing neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. METHODS: All eyes with NK at Wills Eye Hospital following RRD repair from June 1, 2011, to December 1, 2020 were included. Patients with prior ocular procedures (other than cataract surgery), herpetic keratitis, and diabetes mellitus were excluded. RESULTS: During the study period, 241 patients were diagnosed with NK, and 8179 eyes underwent RRD surgery, giving a 9-year prevalence rate of 0.1% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.2%). Mean age was 53.4 ± 16.6 years during RRD repair and 56.5 ± 13.4 years during NK diagnosis. Mean time to NK diagnosis was 3.0 ± 5.6 years (range, 6 days to 18.8 years). Mean visual acuity before NK was 1.10 ± 0.56 logMAR (20/252 Snellen), and it was 1.01 ± 0.62 logMAR (20/205 Snellen) at final visit (pâ¯=â¯0.75). Six eyes (54.5%) developed NK <1 year following RRD surgery. Mean final visual acuity was 1.01 ± 0.53 logMAR (20/205 Snellen) in this group versus 1.01 ± 0.78 logMAR (20/205 Snellen) in the delayed NK group (pâ¯=â¯1.00). CONCLUSIONS: NK may present acutely or up to several years following surgery, with severity of corneal defects ranging from stage 1 to stage 3 NK. Surgeons should be mindful of the potential for this rare complication following RRD repair.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe a rare case of silicone oil emulsification which occurred only three months postoperatively. We discuss the implications for postoperative counseling. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of a single patient. RESULTS: 39-year-old female who presented with a right eye macula-on retinal detachment which was repaired with scleral buckle, vitrectomy, and silicone oil tamponade. Her course was complicated by extensive silicone oil emulsification within 3 months postoperatively, most likely due to shear forces induced by her daily CrossFit exercise regimen. CONCLUSION: Typical postoperative precautions after a retinal detachment repair include no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for one week. These restrictions may need to be more stringent and long-term for patients with silicone oil to prevent early emulsification.