Treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in teenagers by pneumatic retinopexy technique.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of pneumatic retinopexy as an alternative technique for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) repair in teenagers.

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

METHODS

We conducted a review of 19 patients (19 eyes) younger than 20 years of age who had undergone pneumatic retinopexy as the initial procedure for rhegmatogenous RD between 1995 and 2002.

RESULTS

Fourteen boys and five girls (mean age of 17.1 years) were included in this study. Two eyes had a history of trauma. Seventeen eyes (89.5%) had myopia of > -3 diopters. The averaged refraction of the operated eyes was -6.11 diopters (range, -1.25 to -9.5 diopters). Macular detachment was found in 13 eyes (68.4%). Subretinal fibrosis was present in six eyes (31.6%). Pneumatic retinopexy resulted in reattachment in 16 eyes (84.2%) with one injection of gas. One patient required a second injection of gas. Two patients needed additional scleral buckling to attach the retina. Displaced subretinal fluid and delayed resorption of subretinal fluid were noted in four eyes. Mean follow-up period was 42.7 months (range, six to 75 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Rhegmatogenous RD in teenagers can be treated with pneumatic retinopexy with an overall successful rate as in adults. More attention is required regarding the postoperative stage and follow-up period to ensure surgical success.