Morris Robert E, Shere Jeffrey L, Witherspoon C Douglas, Segal Zachary K, Tehranchi Linda, Kuhn Ferenc, Sapp Mathew
Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
J Cataract Refract Surg. 2009 Mar;35(3):491-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2008.11.037.
To assess the safety and efficacy of peripheral 360-degree laser retinopexy as prophylaxis against rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in eyes having pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for the removal of retained cataract fragments.
Private practice, Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
This retrospective analysis comprised a consecutive series of patients who had PPV with 360-degree laser retinopexy for retained cataract fragment removal between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2000. All laser treatments were applied with indirect ophthalmoscope delivery.
In 78 eyes of 78 patients, the mean interval between cataract surgery and PPV with 360-degree laser retinopexy prophylaxis was 14 days. One (1.3%) of 78 eyes had postoperative RRD during a mean follow-up of 6 years. No laser-related complications occurred.
The incidence of RRD after PPV with 360-degree laser retinopexy prophylaxis was 1.3%, a significant reduction from the average 8.2% RRD rate in the literature (P = .024). Although future prospective trials are indicated, the results suggest that 360-degree laser retinopexy prophylaxis could significantly reduce the incidence of this visually disabling complication.
