Influence of intraocular tamponade on unintentional retinal displacement after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between type of intraocular tamponade and unintentional retinal displacement after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

METHODS

Twenty-three eyes of 23 consecutive patients affected by rhegmatogenous retinal detachment underwent 3-port pars plana vitrectomy with gas (C3F8) or silicone oil (polydimethylsiloxane) tamponade. Ophthalmologic examination and fundus autofluorescence were performed before surgery (baseline) and at the 7-day, 1-month, and 3-month postoperative visits. Macula sparing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment underwent fixation test (with microperimetry) at baseline and at the 7-day and 1-month follow-up examinations.

RESULTS

Fundus autofluorescence revealed postoperative retinal displacement in 12 of the 23 eyes (52.2%). Occurrence of retinal displacement was higher in eyes with gas tamponade (10 of 14 eyes; 71.4%) compared with eyes with silicone oil (2 of 9 eyes; 22.2%) (P = 0.036). Retina shifted downward in all eyes with C3F8 and upward in all eyes with polydimethylsiloxane. Baseline and follow-up macular fixation was tested in 10 macula-on cases. In all cases, a shift of mean fixation point was present at the 7-day postoperative examination, with a partial return toward the baseline mean fixation point at the 1-month follow-up examination.

CONCLUSION

In eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with vitrectomy and gas or silicone oil tamponade, retinal displacement may occur despite successful reattachment. Type of intraocular tamponade seems to influence the occurrence of retinal dislocation and its direction.