Functional and anatomic outcome of retinal detachment surgery in pseudophakic eyes.

PURPOSE

To determine the long-term anatomic and functional visual outcome of retinal detachment (RD) surgery in pseudophakic eyes after uncomplicated cataract surgery.

DESIGN

An interventional, retrospective noncomparative case series

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred thirty-eight consecutive patients who had undergone uncomplicated extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation followed by rhegmatogenous RD between 1990 and 1995.

METHODS

One hundred one eligible patients were examined (inclusion ratio, 73%) a median of 4.3 years after last RD surgery. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual fields, retinal status, and patient-rated visual outcome were recorded, the latter by a questionnaire that included self-reported satisfaction, trouble with vision, a modified Cataract Symptom Score, and the VF-14 Visual Functioning Index.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

BCVA, retinal attachment, diameter of visual field, modified Cataract Symptom Score, VF-14 score.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics of enrolled and nonenrolled patients were comparable, except that nonenrolled patients were older. When RD developed, 55 eyes had an intact posterior capsule, and 46 had a laser posterior capsulotomy (LCT). The BCVAs before (median, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [-logMAR] 1.2 versus 1.1, Snellen equivalent 0.063 versus 0.08) and after retinal surgery (median, -logMAR 0.46 versus 0.4, Snellen equivalent 0.35 versus 0.4) were comparable for eyes with and without LCT (P = 0.86). The retina was reattached with one procedure in 75 eyes (74%), with two procedures in 98 eyes (97%), and with three to five procedures in all eyes. The retina remained attached long term in 92 eyes (91%). Redetachment rate (9% versus 9%, P = 1.0) and visual field diameters were comparable for eyes with and without LCT. Overall, 80% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their binocular vision, and 62% had no or only a little trouble with binocular vision. Visual performance was similar regardless of presence or absence of LCT (median Cataract Symptom Score, 3.0 versus 3.0, P = 0.76; and median VF-14 score, 87.5 versus 87.5, P = 0.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Nine in 10 pseudophakic retinal detachments remain attached long term, and 8 in 10 patients are satisfied with their binocular vision after surgery. Even though secondary cataract and posterior capsulotomy can cause problems for the retinal surgeon, the anatomic and functional outcomes of pseudophakic RD are not influenced by capsulotomy.