Clinical Outcomes of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Treated With Pneumatic Retinopexy

Pneumatic Retinopexy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Outcomes: IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) Analysis

PURPOSE

To determine treatment patterns and outcomes of pneumatic retinopexy (PnR) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort analysis using IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) database.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with RRD treated by PnR from 2013-2022.

METHODS

Cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions (ICD-9, ICD-10) diagnostic codes. Surgical procedures were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for type of RRD repair. Baseline demographic information included age, sex, race and ethnicity, geographic region, smoking status, and health insurance type.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcomes for PnR included single-operation success (SOS) and failure (SOF), change in visual acuity at 9-12 months, rates of complications, rates of secondary procedure following SOF, and outcome by phakic status.

RESULTS

13,302 unique eyes were analyzed (median age, 64 years, 61.56% male). Overall SOS for primary PnR was 59.82%. The mean BCVA at 9-12 months following PR was LogMAR 0.44 (95% CI: 0.42, 0.46) for SOF eyes, compared to 0.23 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.25) for SOS eyes (P < 0.001). Complications of PR included vitreous hemorrhage (9.1%), ERM (45.17%), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (0.98%), and endophthalmitis (0.14%). Of the 40.18% of eyes with SOF, 81% required either secondary PnR, scleral buckle (SB), vitrectomy (VTX), or complex detachment repair (CDR), whereas the remaining eyes required more than one of these secondary procedures. SOS for phakic eyes was 64.50% versus 53.93% for pseudophakic eyes (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

IRIS Registry data reveal real-world outcomes and utilization patterns of PnR for RRD. Overall SOS for primary PnR was 59.82%, which is lower than other cited rates in the literature. Pseudophakic eyes were more likely to fail primary PnR. It is important to counsel patients on risks of the procedure when obtaining informed consent.

Updates on Treatment Modalities for Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repair

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, a severe eye condition, presents anatomic separation of the neurosensory retina from its outermost layer-the retinal pigment epithelium. Early recognition of this relatively common finding and proper referral of patients to the retinal surgery department is essential in order to minimize its consequent possible severe reduction in vision. Several major surgical methods for the repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment have been in use over the last several decades, and they all aim to find and close the break in the retina that has caused the detachment. Surgery can be performed as pneumatic retinopexy, pars plana vitrectomy, and/or episcleral surgery (buckling). General surgical trends for reattaching the retina include moving from extraocular to intraocular surgery and from bigger gauge to smaller gauge via minimal invasive vitrectomy surgery (MIVS), with implementing shorter-lasting intraocular tamponades. Surgical options for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treatment nowadays emphasize gaining retinal reattachment, preferably with one surgery and with minimum damage to the eye. The procedure should not bring secondary eye conditions and complications with severe impairment of visual acuity, and it should be performed on as much as a smaller budget, with possibly peribulbar anesthesia, enabling the patient the quickest possible recovery. It should be adjusted to the patient's condition, not to the surgeon's skills or preferences.

Clinical features of retinal detachment treated with segmental scleral buckling

PURPOSE

Our study aims to evaluate the surgical outcomes and clinical features of retinal detachment (RD) cases treated with segmental scleral buckling (SB), elucidating the role of segmental SB as a vital option in specific situations during the current era.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 128 eyes with primary rhegmatogenous RD that underwent segmental scleral buckling between November 2008 and December 2020. Clinical features and success rates were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 128 eyes were included. The patient's ages ranged from 12 to 72 years, with a median age of 45. Most of the eyes were phakic (97%). Regarding the type of break, 47% were holes, and flap tears were found in 68 cases (53%). The break locations were superior-temporal (54%), inferior-temporal (31%), superior-nasal (9.5%), and inferior-nasal (5.5%). The length of the SB applied ranged from 3.5 to 8.0 clock hours, with a median of 6.0. Primary success was achieved in 121 eyes, and recurrence occurred in 7 eyes. All recurrent RD cases reattached after undergoing secondary VT. The causes of failure included 2 break reopens, 1 missed break, and 4 eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. The single-surgery anatomic success (SSAS) rate for segmental SB was 94.5%. The final success rate was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

For phakic, low complexity retinal detachment in our study, segmental scleral buckling emerges as a surgical option with a high primary success rate and a lower incidence of complications.

Review and analysis of history and utilization of pneumatic retinopexy after pneumatic retinopexy versus vitrectomy for the management of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment outcomes randomized trial (PIVOT)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We describe the history and series results of pneumatic retinopexy (PnR)and provide an analysis of PnR utilization after publication of results of pneumatic retinopexy versus vitrectomy for the management of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment outcomes randomized trial (PIVOT).

RECENT FINDINGS

No significant trends were found for average number of services ( P  = 0.153) of PnR after the publication of PIVOT results.

SUMMARY

PnR is a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair technique that was first described in the early 1900 s and has evolved over time to become a modern-day, minimally invasive, underutilized treatment option. Other repair techniques for RRD include scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), which has been compared to the use of PnR in PIVOT. Results of PIVOT concluded that PnR offered superior visual acuity and noninferiority. PnR is underutilized in the United States even after publication of results of PIVOT deemed it a noninferior treatment. Lack of a significant increase in national utilization of PnR could be associated with multifactorial clinician, systems, and financial reasons in the real-world setting.

Outcomes of Scleral Buckling After Failed Pneumatic Retinopexy

Purpose: To assess the visual and anatomic outcomes of eyes that had secondary scleral buckle (SB) surgery after unsuccessful pneumatic retinopexy (PR) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: A retrospective study, performed over a 12-year period, comprised patients who had secondary SB procedures after failed primary PR. Clinical parameters (eg, best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA], lens status, macula status, details of RRD and subretinal fluid) were assessed at presentation, before additional procedures, and at follow-up (6 months, 1 year, and last visit). Statistical comparisons were made using Brown-Forsythe and Welch analysis-of-variance tests, with significance levels set at P < .05. Results: Fifty-four eyes with adequate follow-up were included. Forty-four (81.5%) of 54 eyes had successful retinal reattachment with secondary SB alone. The remaining eyes had subsequent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Patients presenting with macula-on RRD who had successful secondary SB had no statistically significant change in BCVA from baseline (mean final, 0.23 ± 0.25 logMAR [Snellen 20/34]; P = .999). There was a statistically significant improvement in BCVA in patients presenting with macula-off RRD who had successful secondary SB (mean final, 0.32 ± 0.36 logMAR [20/42]; P < .001 and mean change, -1.06 ± 0.85 logMAR). Ten patients presenting with macula-off RRD who had failed secondary SB had a significant improvement in the final BCVA (mean final, 0.22 ± 0.28 logMAR [20/33]; P = .044), despite the need for an additional PPV to achieve reattachment. Conclusions: Secondary SB remains a good option for RRD repair after unsuccessful PR and may avoid the need for PPV.

Smoking Is Associated With a Higher Risk of Surgical Intervention for Thyroid Eye Disease in the IRIS Registry

PURPOSE

To describe the association of smoking status with surgical intervention for thyroid eye disease (TED) at the population-level.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

This study included all adults (aged ≥18 years) with Graves disease in the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry (January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2020). The primary outcome was surgical intervention for TED, stratified into orbital decompression, strabismus surgery, and eyelid recession surgery. The Kaplan-Meier estimated 5-year cumulative probability for each surgical intervention was calculated. Multivariable Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between smoking status and each surgical intervention, adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, and geographic region.

RESULTS

This study included 87,774 patients. Median age was 59 years (IQR, 48-68 years); 81% were female patients. Current smokers had a greater 5-year cumulative probability of orbital decompression (3.7% vs 1.9%; P < .001), strabismus surgery (4.6% vs 2.2%; P < .001), and eyelid recession (4.1% vs 2.6%; P < .001) compared to never smokers. After adjusting for demographic factors, current smokers were at greater risk for orbital decompression (hazard ratio [HR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.8-2.4; P < .001), strabismus surgery (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.8-2.3; P < .001), and eyelid recession (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.5-1.9; P < .001) than never smokers. Former smokers were at higher risk for each type of surgery for TED, albeit at lower levels than current smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking was associated with increased risk of surgical intervention for TED in the IRIS Registry. Former smokers were at a lower risk than current smokers, supporting the role of smoking cessation on lowering the burden of surgical disease at the population-level.

A Useful Method for the Practice of Pneumatic Retinopexy: Slit-Lamp Laser Photocoagulation through the Gas Bubble

This study aimed to demonstrate the laser retinopexy method through the gas bubble under a slit-lamp biomicroscope using a wide-field contact lens to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with pneumatic retinopexy (PR) and report its anatomical and functional results. This single-center, retrospective case series included RRD patients treated with PR using sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆). The demographics, preoperative factors, and anatomical and functional outcomes were collected from the patient files. The single-procedure success rate of PR at postoperative 6th months was 70.8% (17/24 eyes), and the final success rate after secondary surgeries was 100%. The BCVA was better in the successful PR eyes at postoperative 3rd (p = 0.011) and 6th month (p = 0.016) than in failed eyes. No single preoperative factor was associated with PR success. The single-procedure success rate of PR using the laser retinopexy method through the gas bubble with a wide-field contact lens system seems comparable to the PR literature.

The evolving field of Big Data: understanding geographic information systems analysis and its transformative potential in ophthalmic research

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review to is to highlight alternative uses of Big Data in the pursuit of ophthalmologic public health. In particular, we highlight geographic information systems (GIS) analysis as a type of Big Data, summarize various GIS methods, and enumerate sources of geographic data.

RECENT FINDINGS

The recent implementation of the IRIS Registry Data, has expanded our real-world knowledge of ophthalmology in the United States. Such innovations in Big Data allow us to better define ophthalmic diseases, treatments, and outcomes for underserved individuals and subpopulations. One underutilized source of Big Data entails use of geographic information to evaluate geographic heterogeneity and access across the United States.

SUMMARY

GIS and Big Data allow for refined epidemiologic estimates of eye disease for specific communities. In particular, how GIS can enable researchers to examine disparities in access to ophthalmic care is reviewed. GIS best practices and some data sources for GIS in ophthalmology are also summarized.

Pneumatic retinopexy versus scleral buckle for repairing simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachments

BACKGROUND

A rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a separation of the neurosensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium caused by a full-thickness break associated with vitreous traction. While pneumatic retinopexy (PR), scleral buckle (SB), and vitrectomy are all well-received surgical interventions for eyes with RRD, their relative effectiveness has remained controversial.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of PR versus SB or PR versus a combination treatment of SB and vitrectomy for people with RRD and to summarize any data on economic measures and quality of life.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL; which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register; 2021, Issue 3); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase; and four other databases on 11 March 2021. We used no date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of PR versus SB (with or without vitrectomy) for eyes with RRD.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

After screening for eligibility, two review authors independently extracted study characteristics, methods, and outcomes. We followed systematic review standards as set by Cochrane.

MAIN RESULTS

In this update, we identified and included one new randomized controlled trial. Together with two trials from the 2015 version of the review, we included three trials (276 eyes of 274 participants) comparing the effectiveness of PR versus SB. None compared PR versus a combined treatment of SB and vitrectomy.  Of the three trials, one was a small study (published in 1996) with 20 participants (20 eyes) enrolled in Ireland and followed for a mean of 16 months; the second (published in 1989) included 196 participants (198 eyes) in the US followed for at least six months, and the third (published in 2021) was conducted in Italy and enrolled 58 participants (58 eyes) with a follow-up of 12 months. Overall, poor reporting quality resulted in unclear or high risks of bias.  We found low-certainty evidence that PR may achieve retinal reattachment slightly less often than SB (risk ratio [RR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81 to 1.02; I² = 0%; 3 studies, 276 eyes). Eyes undergoing PR may also display a higher risk of recurrent retinal detachment (low-certainty evidence), but the RR estimates were very imprecise (RR 1.70, 95% CI 0.97 to 2.98; I² = 0%; 3 studies, 276 eyes). All three studies described the final visual acuity (VA) after the two procedures. However, the results were reported using different metrics and could not be combined. One study (196 participants) reported the proportion of eyes with a final VA of 20/40 or greater and favored PR (RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.65; low-certainty evidence), whereas in the 2021 study, both groups showed an improvement in final VA and there was no evidence of a difference between the two (mean difference [MD] -0.03, 95% CI -0.25 to 0.19; low-certainty evidence). No study reported data on quality of life or economic measures. Postoperative safety outcomes generally favored PR versus SB (low/very low-certainty evidence); however, there was considerable uncertainty regarding the risk of any operative ocular adverse events (RR 0.55 CI 0.28 to 1.11; 276 eyes), glaucoma (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.46; 198 eyes), macular pucker (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.20 to 2.11; 256 eyes), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.30 to 2.96; 276 eyes), and persistent diplopia (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.03 to 2.09; 256 eyes). Eyes undergoing PR experienced fewer postoperative cataract developments (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.75; 153 eyes), choroidal detachments (RR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.57; 198 eyes), and myopic shift (RR 0.03, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.10; 256 eyes).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The current update confirms the findings of the previous review. PR may result in lower rates of reattachment and higher rates of recurrence than SB, but carries a lower burden of postoperative complications. The effects of these two procedures on other functional outcomes and quality of life remain uncertain. The available evidence remains insufficient and of low quality.

Pneumatic retinopexy: an update

Pneumatic retinopexy (PR) is a minimally invasive, non-incisional procedure for repairing uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. It consists of an intravitreal gas injection followed by the maintenance of a postoperative head position and the use of laser or cryopexy to seal the retinal breaks. It was initially indicated for a single or a group of retinal breaks no larger than 1 clock hour involving the superior 8 clock hours in phakic eyes with no proliferative vitreoretinopathy. We aim to perform a narrative review on pneumatic retinopexy since the last major review of 2008, based on a Medline search up to June 20 2021 using multiple search words including pneumatic retinopexy, pneumoretinopexy, retinal detachment, and pars plana vitrectomy. Indications for PR have been expanded and include pseudophakic eyes, eyes with mild PVR, and even breaks in the inferior fundus. Depending on the case selection, PR has a single-operation success rate ranging from 45 to 80%. Despite the lower single operation success rate, the functional outcomes of those eyes repaired successfully by primary PR exceed those of scleral buckling (SB) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Best corrected visual acuity, metamorphopsia scores, mental health scores, and vision-related functioning scores were all better in PR-treated eyes compared to PPV-treated eyes. PR should be strongly considered for eligible patients with a primary uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.