Pneumatic retinopexy for the treatment of giant retinal dialyses.

PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of pneumatic retinopexy as an alternative technique for retinal detachment repair in patients with retinal dialyses that were greater than three clock hours in size and located in the superior eight clock hours of the retina. METHODS: We reviewed four consecutive cases of retinal detachment secondary to large superior retinal dialyses, extending at least three clock hours, that were successfully treated with pneumatic retinopexy. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from nine to 28 months. All patients had postoperative corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Within two years, one patient was noted to have a new break in the inferior retina not contiguous with the original dialysis that was successfully repaired with laser photocoagulation. CONCLUSION: Pneumatic retinopexy offers a less invasive alternative to scleral buckling surgery in certain cases of superior retinal dialyses.

Vitreous hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

The clinical features of two patients with vitreous hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration and the histopathological findings in one of these cases are reported. Twenty additional cases are reviewed and compared with previously reported series. In patients with vitreous hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration, the appearance of vitreal blood is often preceded by extensive subretinal hemorrhage. Although this condition may be confused with a vitreous hemorrhage accompanying choroidal malignant melanoma, the correct diagnosis is usually apparent from clinical findings and ultrasonography. In most patients the prognosis for visual improvement is poor because of macular degeneration and extensive subretinal hemorrhage. A vitrectomy to remove the vitreous hemorrhage associated with macular degeneration is rarely beneficial.