OUTCOMES OF COMBINED PHACOEMULSIFICATION AND PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY FOR RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT: A Comparative Study

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.

Visual outcomes and complications of combined versus sequential pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification for epiretinal membrane

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic epiretinal membrane (ERM) often requires surgical intervention via pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), for which cataract development is a common complication. There is insufficient data on the visual outcomes and complications of combined phacovitrectomy (COMB) in comparison to sequential PPV with deferred cataract surgery (SEQ) for ERM.

METHODS

A retrospective dataset analysis of 8 National Health Service ophthalmology departments. The main outcome measures were postoperative visual acuity (VA), operative complications, postoperative cystoid macular oedema (CMO) and recurrent ERM.

RESULTS

We included 898 and 299 eyes in the COMB and SEQ groups, respectively. Both procedures resulted in significantly better VA across all follow-up intervals (24 weeks). The proportion of eyes with Snellen VA of at least 20/40 at 12-24 weeks was comparable in both groups (47.8% [COMB] vs. 54.7% [SEQ], p = 0.4456). More eyes in the COMB group experienced posterior capsular rupture (2.9% vs. 0%, p = 0.0009) and iatrogenic retinal trauma (2.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.0023). However, regression analysis revealed that combined surgery did not predict either complication. There were no significant differences in the rates of CMO (6.5% [COMB] vs. 9% [SEQ], p = 0.1522) and recurrent ERM (2.1% [COMB] vs. 3.3% [SEQ], p = 0.2758) between both groups.

CONCLUSION

Both combined and sequential procedures are comparably effective and safe means for managing eyes with ERM.

Outcomes of Secondary Intracapsular Intraocular Lens Implantation in Patients following Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

This study reports the outcomes of a secondary IOL implantation technique in patients that suffered from rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with a cataract, which included reopening the capsular bag, enabling secondary intracapsular intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. We included consecutive cases with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade, and subsequent secondary IOL implantation during silicone oil removal between September 2019 and June 2022. Demographics, pre- and postoperative clinical data, and complications were collected. Visual and refractive outcomes and IOL position were evaluated. Thirty eyes were included and followed up for a mean of 24.2 ± 5.06 months. Compared with the preoperative values, no significant changes were observed in the intraocular pressure (p = 0.170) and endothelial cell density (p = 0.336); however, the best-corrected visual acuity (Snellen: 20/83 vs. 20/38; logMAR: 0.66 ± 0.23 vs. 0.37 ± 0.32; p < 0.001) and spherical equivalent (p < 0.001) improved significantly. The mean prediction error (ME) was -0.45 ± 0.68 D (-1.9-0.54 D), and the mean absolute prediction error (MAE) was 0.62 ± 0.52 D (0.01-1.9 D). The macula-on subgroup demonstrated significantly better refractive outcomes than the macula-off subgroup (ME, p = 0.046; MAE, p = 0.008). The IOL was well positioned, with a mean horizontal and vertical tilt and decentration of 0.53 ± 0.49° and 0.21 ± 0.16 mm, and 0.54 ± 0.45° and 0.22 ± 0.16 mm, respectively. Secondary intracapsular IOL implantation provided a good and stable IOL position and satisfactory refractive outcomes, and is a feasible treatment option for patients with RRD.

Accuracy of ultrasound vs. Fourier-domain optic biometry for measuring preoperative axial length in cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To identify a method for accurately measuring preoperative axial length (AL) in cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 83 eyes of 83 patients who underwent vitrectomy for RRD and had both preoperative and postoperative data for AL. Preoperative AL measurements for the affected eye were obtained using ultrasound (aUS-AL) and compared with those for affected and fellow eyes measured using optical biometry (aOB-AL and fOB-AL, respectively). Absolute differences between preoperative aUS-AL, aOB-AL, or fOB-AL measurements and postoperative AL (aPost-AL) were examined.

RESULTS

In the 41 eyes without macular detachment, the absolute difference between aOB-AL and aPost-AL (0.06±0.07 mm) was significantly smaller than between aUS-AL and aPost-AL (0.21±0.18 mm) and that between fOB-AL and aPost-AL (0.29±0.35 mm) (P = 0.017 and P < 0.001, respectively). In the 42 eyes with macular detachment, the absolute difference between aOB-AL and aPost-AL (1.22±2.40 mm) was significantly larger than between aUS-AL and aPost-AL (0.24±0.24 mm) and between fOB-AL and aPost-AL (0.35±0.49 mm) (P = 0.006, P = 0.016, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The current findings suggest that aOB-AL is more accurate than aUS-AL or fOB-AL in cases of RRD without macular detachment, while aUS-AL or fOB-AL is more accurate than aOB-AL in cases with macular detachment.

Safety and efficacy of cryopexy during pars Plana vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To evaluate efficacy and safety of intraoperative cryoretinopexy in cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

METHODS

In this retrospective, interventional case series, we review the medical records of 85 consecutive cases of RRD treated with pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade, without the use of perfluorocarbon liquids. Baseline best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, number and location of retinal breaks, location and extension of retinal detachment, duration of symptoms, macula status, presence, and grade of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) were registered. Follow-up visits were at 1 day, 15 days, 1 month and 3 months. Anatomical and functional outcomes and any adverse event were recorded.

RESULTS

Primary anatomical success was obtained in 82/85 patients (96%). During the postoperative period, PVR was observed in 4/85 cases (4.7%), 3 of whom developed recurrence of retinal detachment. 7/85 (8.2%) patients developed ocular hypertension. We built a model of logistic regression including age, sex, lens status, macula status, number of quadrants involved, number of ruptures and duration of symptoms. None of the variables considered was found to be a predictor of postoperative PVR development. Symptom's duration (β = 0.429; 95% CI = 0.009-0.023; P < 0.001) and preoperative BCVA (β = 0.273; 95% CI = 0.034-0.184; P = 0.005) were predictors for final BCVA.

CONCLUSION

These findings emphasize the safety and efficacy of the use of intraoperative cryotherapy, associated with PPV and gas tamponade, for the management of uncomplicated RRDs.

ACCURACY OF NEW INTRAOCULAR LENS CALCULATION FORMULAE IN EYES UNDERGOING SILICONE OIL REMOVAL/PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY-CATARACT SURGERY

PURPOSE

To investigate the performance of novel intraocular lens calculation formulae (Barrett Universal II, Emmetropia Verifying Optical, and Kane) and conventional formulae (Haigis, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, and Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff/T [SRK/T]) in patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy or silicone oil removal combined with cataract surgery.

METHODS

In total, 301 eyes from 301 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy/silicone oil removal with concomitant cataract surgery were enrolled and divided into the following four groups according to preoperative diagnosis: silicone oil-filled eyes after pars plana vitrectomy, epiretinal membrane, primary retinal detachment, and macular hole.

RESULTS

Barrett Universal II exhibited the smallest mean absolute error (0.65 diopters [D]) and median absolute error (0.39 D) in total. In patients with primary retinal detachment, each formula exhibited the worst refractive outcomes in diverse vitreoretinal pathologies ( P < 0.01), and no difference in accuracy between the seven formulas was observed ( P = 0.075). For long eyes, the second linear (Wang-Koch 2) version of the Wang-Koch adjustment significantly reduced the median absolute error for Holladay 1 and SRK/T ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

In combined surgery, both new and conventional formulas using the second linear version of the Wang-Koch 2 adjustment demonstrated satisfactory performance, with Barrett Universal II exhibiting the best overall performance. However, in patients with primary retinal detachment, all seven formulas showed less favorable performance.

Pars Plana Vitrectomy Alone or Combined with Phacoemulsification to Treat Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: A Systematic Review of the Recent Literature

Pars plana vitrectomy is today a common first-line procedure for treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Removal or preservation of the natural lens at the time of vitrectomy is associated with both advantages and disadvantages. The combination of cataract extraction (i.e., phacoemulsification) with pars plana vitrectomy (PPVc) enhances visualization of the peripheral retina and the surgical management of the vitreous base. However, PPVc prolongs the surgical time and is associated with iatrogenic loss of the accommodation function in younger patients, possible postoperative anisometropia, and unexpected refractive results. Performance of pars plana vitrectomy alone (PPVa) requires good technical skills to minimize the risk of lens damage, and quickens cataract development. We retrieved all recent papers that directly compared PPVc and PPVa using parameters that we consider essential when choosing between the two procedures (the success rate of anatomical RRD repair, postoperative refractive error, intra- and postoperative complications, and costs). PPVa and PPVc were generally comparable in terms of RRD anatomical repair. PPVc was associated with fewer intraoperative, but more postoperative, complications. Macula-off RRD PPVc treatment was often associated with undesirable myopic refractive error. PPVa followed by phacoemulsification was the most expensive procedure.

Pars plana vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification versus pars plana vitrectomy only for treatment of phakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To compare the visual, refractive, and anatomical outcomes and incidence of complications between combined pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification (phacovitrectomy) versus pars plana vitrectomy (PPV-only) in phakic eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

METHODS

Two independent reviewers searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science to identify relevant articles. Prospective or retrospective studies comparing PPV-only and phacovitrectomy for RRD were included. Recruited studies provided information about at least anatomical success or refractive outcomes. Meta-analysis was performed for single surgery success rate, final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), postoperative complications, mean predicted refractive error, and mean absolute predicted refractive error.

RESULTS

Seven studies (788 eyes) were selected, including two clinical trials and five retrospective comparative case series. The single surgery success rate was similar in PPV-only and phacovitrectomy groups (risk ratio [RR] = 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-1.10; P = 0.57). Mean final BCVA was significantly better in the PPV-only group than the phacovitrectomy group (MD = 0.06; 95% CI 0.00-0.12; P = 0.04). The risk of epiretinal membrane formation was significantly higher in eyes that underwent phacovitrectomy than PPV-only (RR = 2.85; 0.95% CI 1.5-5.41; P = 0.001). Phacovitrectomy group showed a more myopic final mean predicted refractive error than PPV-only group (MD = -0.31; 95% CI -0.55--0.07; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the anatomical outcome. Slightly better visual and refractive results were observed in the PPV-only group. However, the results should be interpreted with caution as the majority of included studies were low-quality retrospective studies.

Outcomes of Retinectomy without Lensectomy in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments with Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

PURPOSE

To report the anatomic and functional outcomes of retinectomy without lensectomy in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative, and interventional case series.

SUBJECTS

One hundred twelve eyes of 112 patients with RRD complicated by PVR who underwent retinectomy without lensectomy.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients treated with vitrectomy and retinectomy without lensectomy from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2020.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the final attachment rate and single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) at 3 and 6 months after retinectomy. Secondary outcomes included predictors of final visual acuity (VA), the mean number of subsequent operations required for complete retinal reattachment, cataract surgery, and the number of eyes that ultimately had successful silicone oil removal.

RESULTS

Complete final retinal reattachment was achieved in 111 of 112 (99.1%) patients, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) follow-up of 29 (14) months (range, 8-62 months) after retinectomy. The SSAS was achieved in 84 of 112 (75%) patients at 3 months and 73 of 112 (65.2%) patients at 6 months. The final VA improved or stabilized in 76 of 112 (67.9%) eyes. Silicone oil removal was performed in 72 of 112 patients (64.3%) at a mean (SD) of 6.6 (3.3) months, and cataract surgery was performed on 101 (90.2%) eyes before the last follow-up visit.

CONCLUSIONS

Retinectomy without lensectomy to repair RRDs complicated by PVR showed acceptable anatomic and functional results. This study suggests that removing the lens when there is no significant cataract may not be necessary in these cases to obtain reasonable outcomes.

Clinical Outcomes of Combined Phacoemulsification With Intraocular Lens Placement and Microincision Vitrectomy in Adult Vitreoretinal Disease

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of combined phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) placement and microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) in adult patients with concomitant cataract and vitreoretinal disease.

Methods

A consecutive series of patients with comorbid vitreoretinal disease and cataract who had combined phacoemulsification with IOL placement and MIVS was retrospectively analyzed. The main outcome measures were visual acuity (VA) and intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Results

The analysis comprised 648 eyes of 611 patients. The median follow-up was 26.9 months (range, 12-60 months). The most common vitreoretinal pathology was intraocular tumor (53%). The best-corrected Snellen VA improved from 20/192 at baseline to 20/46 at the 12-month follow-up. The most frequent intraoperative complication was capsule tear (3.9%). The most common postoperative adverse events after 3 months of follow-up (mean, 24 months) were vitreous hemorrhage (3.2%) and retinal detachment (1.8%). No patient developed endophthalmitis.

Conclusions

Combined phacoemulsification with IOL placement and MIVS is a safe, effective technique to manage a broad range of vitreoretinal diseases in patients with significant cataract.

Comparison of Postoperative Stability of Intraocular Lenses after Phacovitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

We retrospectively compared the stability of intraocular lenses (IOLs) routinely used at our institution by measuring IOL position after phacovitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Patients with RRD who underwent phacovitrectomy with gas tamponade received one of three IOLs: 6-mm, single-piece NS-60YG (NIDEK, 15 eyes); 6-mm, single-piece XY1 (HOYA, 11 eyes); or 7-mm, three-piece X-70 (Santen, 11 eyes). Various parameters associated with the anterior chamber, lens, and IOL were measured by swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (CASIA2; Tomey Corp) before and 1 week and 1 month after surgery. IOL position was determined as follows: IOL position = (postoperative aqueous depth [AQD] − preoperative AQD)/lens thickness. We found no significant difference in axial length between the IOLs (p = 0.97). At 1 week, IOL position was as follows: NS-60YG, 0.32; XY1, 0.24; and X-70, 0.26 (p < 0.05). The respective IOL positions at 1 month were 0.35, 0.27, and 0.28 (p < 0.01). These results indicated the smallest anterior shift with NS-60YG. To replicate the anterior shift of IOL position ex vivo, biomechanical measurement was performed. NS-60YG resisted more displacement force than the other IOLs. Thus, in eyes undergoing phacovitrectomy for RRD, NS-60YG was the most stable of the three IOLs studied.

Change in axial length after vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Background

We aimed to explore the changes in the axial length and related factors after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods

This study retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil (SO) tamponade for RRD and subsequent silicone oil removal at our clinic. Using a Zeiss IOLMaster 700, axial length was measured before vitrectomy for RRD and SO removal. The change in axial length (ΔAL) was calculated, and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the potential correlation between ΔAL and clinical factors, such as preoperative hypotony, extreme myopia, age, macular involvement, choroidal detachment, operation duration, and operation history.

Results

In total, 213 eyes from 213 patients were included. The mean axial length changed significantly pre- and post-vitrectomy (25.98 ± 2.87 mm and 26.25 ± 3.07 mm, respectively, P < 0.001); the mean ΔAL was 0.37 ± 0.62 mm. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative hypotony and extreme myopia were significantly correlated with the ΔAL (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). A higher proportion of hypotonic eyes had ΔAL ≥ 0.3 mm (33/76 in hypotony eyes and 32/137 in others; P = 0.003). A higher proportion of extremely myopic eyes also had a ΔAL ≥ 0.3 mm (23/46 in extremely myopic eyes and 42/167 in others; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

For patients with RRD and cataracts, as axial length changed significantly after vitrectomy in those with hypotony or extreme myopia, secondary lOL implantation should be considered.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-022-02433-8.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair-does age, sex, and lens status make a difference?

PURPOSE

To analyze the correlation between lens status, age, and sex in the epidemiology and success rates of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery.

METHODS

The files of all consecutive patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery for uncomplicated RRD between Jan 2005 und Dec 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Successful outcome was defined as no retinal redetachment occurring within 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

5502 eyes with uncomplicated primary RRD were included. Mean age of the patients was 61.1 years (± 13.6 SD). In the age group over 40 years, a male predominance was found. The percentage of pseudophakic RRD increased from 25 to 40% during the 15 years observation period. In the age group 50 to 69 years, patients with pseudophakic detachments were male in 786 out of 1079 cases (72.9%). In the same age group, 1285 of 2110 (60.9%) patients with phakic RRD were male. Overall, primary success rate after one procedure was 91.2% (5018 of 5502). In the phakic eyes, the primary success rate was higher in those eyes that underwent combined phacovitrectomy (93.0%), compared to those without simultaneous cataract surgery (88.7%; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The ratio of male and female patients with RRD varies between age groups. The proportion of pseudophakic RRD has increased within 15 years. The male predominance in RRD is stronger in pseudophakic than in phakic eyes. In phakic eyes with RRD, a combined phacovitrectomy yielded better anatomical results.

Vitrectomy Combined with Cataract Surgery for Retinal Detachment Using a Three-Dimensional Viewing System

Purpose: To evaluate the results of a pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with cataract surgery for primary rhematogenous retinal detachment (RD) using a three-dimensional (3D) viewing system and a conventional microscope (CM). Methods: Medical reports of 82 patients were retrospectively reviewed: 26 patients were operated on with 3D and 56 patients were operated on with CM. The main outcome measures were visual acuity, duration of the surgery, and the rate of postoperative complications. Results: No statistically significant differences in pre- and postoperative visual acuity were found between both groups. There was significant improvement in the visual acuity in both groups. The best postoperative visual acuity was achieved with SF6 gas tamponade, followed by C3F8 gas and silicone oil in both groups. The duration of the surgery (60 min vs. 55 min) and the rate of postoperative complications (15% vs. 14%) were similar in both groups. Conclusions: The similar postoperative visual acuity and rate of complications detected using 3D and CM indicate that the 3D viewing system may be advantageous in the treatment of rhematogenous RD with PPV combined with cataract surgery, i.e., a complex procedure involving both anterior and posterior segment manipulations.

Differences in Axial Length and IOL Power Based on Alternative A-Scan or Fellow-Eye Biometry in Macula-Off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Eyes

INTRODUCTION

This study was performed to observe the potential refractive prediction error based on alternative A-scan ultrasound and fellow-eye biometry for phacovitrectomy in macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) eyes.

METHODS

Phakic macula-off RRD eyes without axial length (AL) measurements obtained using IOLMaster were included. Vitrectomy without lens extraction was performed for RRD repair. Preoperative AL was measured using alternative A-scan ultrasound (AL-US). Postoperative AL was obtained in eyes with silicone oil tamponade (AL-SO) and preoperative fellow-eye biometry (AL-FE) using IOLMaster. Other eyes that faced the same preoperative situation but underwent phacovitrectomy based on fellow-eye biometry were recruited as controls.

RESULTS

AL-US, AL-FE, and AL-SO were 25.39 ± 2.14 mm, 25.85 ± 2.16 mm and 26.08 ± 2.53 mm, respectively. The Bland-Altman agreement among AL-US, AL-FE and AL-SO was good (95.5%, 21/22 of cases were in the LoA). The mean IOL power calculated using AL-US (Power-US), AL-FE (Power-FE) and AL-SO (Power-SO) was 16.81 ± 7.19 D, 14.74 ± 6.95 D and 13.54 ± 8.32 D, respectively. The difference between AL-US and AL-SO was significant (P < 0.05), while that between AL-FE and AL-SO was not (P > 0.05). The difference between Power-US and Power-SO was significant (P < 0.05), while that between Power-FE and Power-SO was not (P > 0.05). Nine eyes underwent phacovitrectomy based on fellow-eye biometry and had a final postoperative myopic shift of 0.64 ± 0.78 D.

CONCLUSIONS

Alternative A-scan ultrasound led to a significant difference in AL and a prediction error in IOL power, while fellow-eye biometry provided similar results to silicone oil-filled eyes after RRD repair.

Refractive Outcomes of Phacovitrectomy in Retinal Detachment Compared to Phacoemulsification Alone Using Swept-Source OCT Biometry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To assess the refractive outcomes in patients who underwent combined phacovitrectomy for retinal detachment compared to phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implant utilizing newer swept-source optical-coherence-tomography (SS-OCT) biometry and determine the requirement of an adjustment factor for superior predicted refractive outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 95 eyes: 52 eyes that underwent phacovitrectomy and 43 eyes with phacoemulsification only that served as the control group. Mean refractive error (ME) and mean absolute error (MAE) were used to compare the groups.

RESULTS

No statistically significant postoperative refractive shift was found between phacoemulsification and phacovitrectomy eyes for (1) ME (0.05 D [± 0.51 diopters (D)] and (0.03 [± 0.73 D], respectively; P = .348), (2) MAE (0.41 D ± 0.29 D and 0.60 ± 0.44 D, respectively), or (3) MAE of the control compared to macula-on/off eyes (P = .160 and P = .078, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The authors do not recommend an adjustment factor for IOL selection when utilizing SS-OCT biometry, as it provided refractive outcomes superior to those found in previous studies utilizing a partial coherence interferometry system. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:432-437.].

ASSESSING REFRACTIVE OUTCOMES AND ACCURACY OF BIOMETRY IN PHACOVITRECTOMY AND SEQUENTIAL OPERATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH RETINAL DETACHMENT COMPARED WITH ROUTINE CATARACT SURGERY

PURPOSE

To compare refractive outcomes and accuracy of modern optical biometry, swept-source optical coherence tomography, ultrasound biometry, and effect of the macula status in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment managed with either combined phacovitrectomy or sequential vitrectomy and cataract surgery compared with a control, phacoemulsification alone.

METHODS

Retrospective, comparative, consecutive study of 154 eyes; Group 1 underwent phacovitrectomy (n: 70), Group 2 underwent vitrectomy with subsequent cataract surgery (n: 41), and Group 3 underwent cataract surgery alone (n: 43).

RESULTS

No difference in the mean absolute error was found between Group 2 (0.41 ± 0.56) and Group 3 (0.41 ± 0.29); both were superior to Group 1 (0.74 ± 0.57). Between Group 1 and Group 2, no statistically significant difference in the mean absolute error was found between macula-on subgroups (P = 0.057), but this was statistically significant between macula-off subgroups (P = 0.009). Subgroup analysis by biometry showed that the difference in the mean absolute error between macula-off optical biometry Group 1 and Group 2 against our control, Group 3, were not significant (P = 0.078 and P = 0.119, respectively); the mean absolute error was significantly different when considering macula-off ultrasound biometry cases (P < 0.001 and P = 0.038, respectively).

CONCLUSION

All three groups had comparable refractive outcomes when using optical biometry. However, phacovitrectomy macula-off cases had inferior refractive outcomes when the ultrasound biometry had to be used. In macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, when optical biometry is not reliable, it is preferable to perform sequential surgery rather than phacovitrectomy.

The Role of Anterior Chamber Depth on Post-operative Refractive Error After Phacovitrectomy

Purpose

To investigate the effect of phacovitrectomy on the post-operative anterior chamber depth (ACD) and refractive outcomes, and to analyze the potential differences between vitreous filling with BSS, air and gas.

Methods

Patients who underwent phacovitrectomy were included in this study and invited for repeated post-operative examination including refraction and biometry at least 3 months after the surgery. Data retrieved included demographic information, indication for phacovitrectomy, surgical details, type of vitreous filling (BSS, air or gas), pre-operative and post-operative biometric data including K-readings, axial length (AL), and ACD, as well as spherical equivalent (SE) values of the target and final refraction.

Results

Forty-three eyes of 43 patients were included in this study, including 10 eyes filled with BSS, 18 with air and 15 with gas. The mean difference between the final measured spherical equivalent (SE) and the SE of the intended target refraction was 0.61±0.68 D (p = 0.019). Only 58.1% of eyes had a final SE within ±0.5D of the target refraction. Following surgery, AL remained unchanged, while mean pre-operative ACD increased significantly from 3.11±0.34 mm to 4.77±0.47 mm (p < 0.001). There was no difference in refractive error between the vitreous fillings and no correlation with AL or ACD.

Conclusions

Phacovitrectomy is associated with lower accuracy of post-operative refraction compared to cataract surgery. This may be attributed to a significant change in ACD, influencing the effective lens position of the IOL, and may require adjustment of the pre-operative calculations.

Impact of submacular fluid volume on visual outcome in macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using automated optical coherence tomography volumetric quantification

Background

We investigated effects of submacular fluid volume (SMFV) on visual outcomes following surgery for macula‐off primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) using automated fluid volumetric quantification with optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

We analysed 127 eyes that were surgically treated for macula‐off RRDs. We obtained preoperative images following the spectral domain (SD)‐OCT dense volume protocol, applied automated retinal segmentation and used an automated algorithm to quantify each eye's SMFV. We used multivariate models to identify various risk factors for impaired visual outcome.

Results

Linear regression showed that preoperative SMFV (ß = 0.013; P = .005) was significantly associated with a reduced visual outcome 12 months after the treatment of macula‐off RRDs. SMFV was negatively correlated with 12‐month postoperative (r = .311; P = .001) visual acuity (VA). The group with low preoperative SMFV (≤9.0 mm³) showed an increasing VA up to 12 months postoperatively (P < .001), while the VA did not increase in the group with high SMFV (>9.0 mm³) beyond 3 months of follow‐up. Patients with a high SMFV were 8.0 times more likely to have worse visual outcomes after 12 months of follow‐up (P = .018).

Conclusions

SMFV was negatively correlated with visual outcomes after the surgical treatment of macula‐off RRDs. Patients with SMFV <9.0 mm³ 12 months after surgery had an 8.0 times greater chance for better visual recovery than patients with high preoperative SMFV. Our findings highlight the efficacy of automated SMFV quantification in predicting surgical outcomes in patients with RRDs, which could be useful in future clinical practice and the development of research models.

Parsplana vitrectomy alone versus parsplana vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a randomized study

BACKGROUND

To compare parsplana vitrectomy (PPV) with and without phacoemulsification to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

METHODS

Subjects aged 48-65 years with RRD in a phakic eye due to superior retinal tears with an overall extension of retinal breaks < 90° underwent to PPV alone (group A); or PPV plus phacoemulsification (phacovitrectomy, PCV, group B). Post-operative follow-up visits occurred at 1 week, 1 month (m1), 3 months (m3), and 6 months (m6) after surgery. The main outcome was the rate of retinal reattachment. Secondary outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), central macular thickness (CMT), and cataract progression (in the lens-sparing [PPV-alone] group).

RESULTS

In this initial phase of the study a total of 59 patients (mean age: 55 years, 59 eyes) were enrolled: 29 eyes in group A and 30 eyes in group B. Both groups had similar gas tamponade. During the follow-up there were three cases of RRD recurrence in group A and one in group B. The relative risk of recurrence in group A was 3.22 times higher but the difference was not significant (p = 0.3). The two groups were also similar in terms of BCVA and IOP variation. At m3, CMT was significantly higher in group B (p = 0.014). In group A, cataract progression was significant at m6 (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

In a cohort of RRD patients selected according to their preoperative clinical characteristics, PPV was comparable to PCV in terms of the rate of retinal reattachment after 6 months.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN15940019 . Date registered: 15/01/2021 (retrospectively registered).

Vitreoretinal Surgery in the Post-Lockdown Era: Making the Case for Combined Phacovitrectomy

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly limited the capacity of healthcare systems to provide elective services like cataract surgery. Cataract formation is a frequent complication after pars plana vitrectomy. In this paper, we review the pros and cons of combined phacovitrectomy as opposed to sequential surgery in the post-pandemic era. In particular, we discuss the patient-level visual benefits and societal economic advantages of this procedure.