Evaluation of the treatment results in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated by pars plana vitrectomy with air: Preliminary results.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and the restoration of the anatomic conditions (retinal reattachment) in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using air as endotamponade. METHODS: Twelve patients (12 eyes) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were included in the study. These were eyes with retinal detachment both with and without macular involvement. During the PPV surgery, the peripheral and central part of the vitreous body was excised to eliminate the formation of vitreoretinal traction after surgery, laser therapy was performed peripherally and in retinal openings, and the eyeball was filled with filtered air. Local conditions were evaluated at 1, 7, 14, 30, 90, and 180 days after the procedure. RESULTS: The result of the patients' examination on the 30 day after surgery showed that 100% of cases achieved retinal reattachment and improved vision (best corrected visual acuity). In the long-term assessment, the final visual acuity was better in 11 patients (91.7%) compared to the initial results. On average, 7 days after the surgery, air in the eyeball occupied about one-fifth of the vitreous chamber and was completely absorbed about 10 to 14 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In the above-mentioned study, very good results of treatment of open-rooted retinal detachment were achieved. The air was quickly absorbed and visual acuity improved. Owing to the relatively fast absorption time, this method could be used successfully in high altitude patients and people often travelling by airplane.

Influence of hemorheological factors on the development of retinal vein occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to present the influence of hemorheological factors on appearance of Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO). Article explains which factors predispose to the occurrence of RVO. STUDY SELECTION: Data presented in the article were collected from both review articles and research articles as well as other sources concerning hemorheology, pharmacology and ophthalmology. RESULTS: Appearance of RVO is connected with blood viscosity and hemorheological parametres like aggregation of red blood cells, deformability of red blood cells, fibrinogen concentrations and haematocrit, and platelet activity. In the pathogenesis of retinal vein occlusion other risk factors were also indicated: age, systemic diseases and smoking. Such correlation has been indicated in numerous researches which were conducted over the last years. RVO is usually accompanied by macular oedema. RVO may successfully be treated using intravitreal dexamethasone implant. CONCLUSION: Quick diagnosis and therapy create a possibility for successful treatment. Corticosteroid positive influence on visual acuity improvement has been indicted in two randomized, double-blind controlled studies - CRUISE and BRAVO. In both studies, the improvement of vision has been accompanied by a significant reduction of oedema in the vicinity of macula, reflected in the central retinal thickness.