Preoperative factors influencing anatomic success rates following retinal detachment surgery.

The percentages of retinal detachment surgical cure rates determined in this study should not be regarded too literally. At least ten preoperative factors have been described which, acting in isolated fashion, are associated with decreased rates of retinal reattachment. Among these factors are visual acuity of 20/60 or less, myopia, preretinal membrane formation, alphakia, pars plana detachment, reoperation, age over 80 years, vitreous membranes, giant tear, and choroidal detachment. Usually there are several influential factors acting simultaneously. The behavior patterns of combinations of predictive factors have not been determined. In addition, there are undoubtedly some factors which are insignificant when acting alone but which have an adverse influence when arranged in certain combinations. More sophisticated analysis would be required to confirm this hypothesis.