THE PROPHYLAXIS OF FELLOW-EYE RETINAL DETACHMENT IN STICKLER SYNDROME: A RETROSPECTIVE SERIES.

PURPOSE

To evaluate retrospectively if scleral buckling combined or not to cryopexy reduces fellow-eye retinal detachment (RD) in Stickler syndrome patients who lost their first eye due to RD.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 52 Stickler syndrome patients who received a 6-mm wide, 360° encircling scleral buckling. Thirty-nine (75%; Cryo + Group) also received cryo treatment, whereas the reminder 13/52 (25% Cryo - Group) did not.

RESULTS

Average follow-up was 15.6 ± 2.41 years. Five patients (5/52; 9.6%) developed a retinal detachment 2.6 ± 0.55 years after prophylactic treatment, respectively, 0/39 patients in the Cryo + Group and 5/13 in the Cryo - Group (P < 0.001). All five RD eyes were successfully reattached through revised episcleral surgery and adjunctive cryo treatment. Postop refraction changed an average -1.9 ± 0.74 diopters and best corrected visual acuity at the end of follow-up was 20/25 (0.1 ± 0.07 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), not significantly different from the rest of sample population who did not develop RD in their fellow eye.

CONCLUSION

Cryopexy significantly reduced the risk of RD in Stickler syndrome patients undergoing scleral buckling. If RD ensues, the presence of scleral buckling may ease surgical repair and improve final outcome.