Vitrectomy without scleral buckling for proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

PURPOSE

To determine whether complete vitrectomy with vitreous shaving and without scleral buckling (SB) is efficacious for the treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

METHODS

Eight consecutive patients who underwent vitrectomy with vitreous shaving and without SB for the treatment of PVR were studied. The PVR were classified as grade C3 in one eye, D1 in three eyes, D2 in three eyes, and D3 in one eye. The vitreous was used for gas tamponade for all of the cases. The anatomic success rate and the visual acuity before and after the surgery were analyzed.

RESULTS

The anatomic success rate after the first vitrectomy was 75%, and 100% after the second operation. Preoperatively, the visual acuity was less than counting fingers in 63% and less than 20/200 in 88% of the eyes. Postoperatively, the visual acuity was 20/200 or better in 88%, and 20/100 or better in 63% of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitrectomy with vitreous shaving without SB achieved approximately the same rate of anatomic success as vitrectomy with SB in eyes with PVR. Visual acuity was significantly improved postoperatively.