Giant retinal tears: clinical features and outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery at a university teaching hospital (2011-2017)

Risk factors and management of primary giant retinal tears

PURPOSE

To describe clinical characteristics and management in a large cohort of patients with retinal detachment due to a giant retinal tear (GRT).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study with 222 eyes of 206 patients with a primary and non-traumatic GRTs between 2005 and 2022. We analysed the relevant clinical and surgical data from these patients.

RESULTS

Eighty-six per cent (n = 177) of patients were male. We observed no relation between refractive error and GRT size (Spearman's rho: r = -0.018, p = 0.83). We achieved a primary and final treatment success in 77%, respectively 92%, of eyes. The final visual outcome was 20/40 or better in 65% and 36% of eyes in fovea-on and fovea-off GRTs respectively. Thirty-five per cent (n = 73) of patients developed a retinal detachment in the fellow eye. The median time until a retinal detachment in the fellow eye occurred after GRT was 20 months, and 10% developed within 1 month. A prediction model for the development of retinal detachment in the fellow eye resulted in a receiver operating characteristics curve with an area under the curve of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.57-0.78, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We observed a highly significant gender imbalance in patients with a non-traumatic GRT. One third of patients developed a retinal detachment bilaterally. Ten per cent of fellow eye's retinal detachment that develop after GRT, occur within 1 month. Clinical parameters showed limited predictive value for a retinal detachment in the fellow eye. These findings suggest an underlying genetic factor.

Management, risk factors and treatment outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears: scoping review

BACKGROUND

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a serious condition that occurs when the retina detaches from its underlying retinal pigment epithelium. RRDs associated with giant retinal tears (GRTs) are caused by retinal tears at least 90° or one-quarter of the circumferential extent. This scoping review systematically identifies and summarizes clinical studies evaluating surgical techniques for the management of GRT-related RRDs, discusses functional and visual outcomes and the risk factors affecting treatment outcomes.

METHODS

This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Springer Link databases were searched for relevant papers (from January 2001 to March 2023). Studies that were published in the English language and reported the risk factors, management, and treatment outcomes of GRT-related RRDs were included in the review. The outcome measures included anatomic success rates, changes in BCVA (logMAR) from baseline to the final follow-up, and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 11,982 articles were identified. After the title and abstract review, 71 studies were deemed eligible for full-text review. Thirty-six studies that met the eligibility criteria were included in the final review. Four surgical techniques were identified: pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), combined PPV and scleral buckling, scleral buckling alone, and pneumatic retinopexy. Various types of tamponades, including gas, silicone oil, and air, have been used. PPV was the most commonly used surgical technique in 33.1-100% of patients. Among the 20 studies that used PPV alone, 17 were associated with preoperative PVR. In addition, scleral buckling alone or in combination with PPV was reported as a treatment option in 10 studies, with 2-100% of patients experiencing scleral buckling alone and 13.6-100% experiencing combined PPV and complementary scleral buckling. Primary anatomic success (PAS) was achieved with retinal reattachment via a single operation with no residual tamponade, whereas final anatomic success (FAS) was achieved via more than one operation with no residual tamponade. Reported single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) rates range from 65.51 to 100%. The preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged from 0.067 to 2.47 logMAR, whereas the postoperative BCVA ranged from 0.08 to 2.3 logMAR. An improvement in visual acuity was observed in 29 studies. Cataracts (3.9-28.3%) were the most common postoperative complication, followed by high IOP (0.01-51.2%) and PVR (0.8-31.57%).

CONCLUSION

PPV is the most common surgical technique, and currently microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) systems are commonly employed. Silicone oil is the most frequently used tamponade in RRD repair. Risk factors for GRT-related RRD include age, sex, lens status, high myopia status, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), presenting visual acuity, the extent of the GRT and retinal detachment, and macular involvement. Future research areas include guidelines to reduce variability in the reporting of surgical methodology, choice of tamponades, and reporting of functional and visual outcomes to inform the best therapeutic interventions in GRT-related RRD.

Management of macula-on giant retinal tear detachments- outcome of pars-plana-vitrectomy with silicone oil versus gas tamponade

BACKGROUND

To compare the outcome of eyes with a macula-on giant retinal tear (GRT) detachment treated with pars-plana-vitrectomy (PPV) depending on the used endotamponade.

METHODS

All consecutive cases with a macula-on GRT-associated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) managed with PPV between 2007 and 2022 were retrospectively assessed depending on the selected endotamponade. By reviewing medical charts and surgical protocols the pre- and intraoperative parameters were analysed in detail. The number of vitreoretinal (VR) procedures needed for reattachment, the redetachment rate and the functional outcome were evaluated. Eyes treated with primary silicone oil (SO) tamponade were compared to eyes with primary gas tamponade. Cases with pre-existing conditions affecting outcome e.g. macula-off situation, history of trauma, status after complicated cataract surgery, former VR surgery or proliferative vitreoretinopathy grade C or higher were excluded.

RESULTS

Overall, 51 eyes of 45 patients with a macula-on GRT detachment were treated with PPV and SO (n = 32; 63%) or gas (n = 19; 37%) endotamponade in the observed period. Eyes with primary SO tamponade underwent on average 2.3 (SD 0.8) VR procedures and had a redetachment rate of 13% (n = 4). Eyes with gas tamponade showed a higher redetachment rate of 32% (n = 6) with a mean number of 1.6 (SD 1.0) PPV procedures. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly better in eyes with primary gas tamponade (mean logMAR BCVA 0.32; SD 0.30) compared to eyes with SO (mean logMAR BCVA 0.60; SD 0.42; p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical management of GRT-associated RRDs is complex. In clinical routine often SO is used as endotamponade. Because of known disadvantages (second procedure necessary for SO removal, unexplained SO-related visual loss, secondary glaucoma, SO emulsification) some VR surgeons prefer a gas tamponade. In our cohort, eyes with a gas compared to SO tamponade showed higher redetachment rates. However, the final postoperative BCVA was significantly better in eyes with gas compared to SO tamponade.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial protocol was approved by the local ethics committee on 25th of November 2022 (Ethikkommission der Universität Regensburg, Votum 22-3166-104).

Retinal Detachment Associated With Giant Retinal Tears: Surgical Management and Outcomes in the Past 2 Decades

Purpose: To describe the surgical outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) associated with giant retinal tears (GRTs) and define factors associated with primary anatomic failure. Methods: This retrospective consecutive study comprised primary GRT-RRD surgeries between 1999 and 2021 at a single institution. Exclusion criteria were a follow-up of less than 3 months and incomplete surgical data. Results: The series included 69 eyes (64 patients). Single-surgery anatomic success (SSAS) was achieved in 75% and final anatomic success (FAS) in 90%. The mean logMAR visual acuity improved from 1.5 ± 1.1 to 0.6 ± 0.9. Preoperative factors significantly associated with redetachment were proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (odds ratio [OR], 6.2; P < .01), hypotony (OR, 13.6; P < .01), and a 180-degree or larger GRT (OR, 3.3; P = .04). All cases were treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and perfluoro-N-octane (PFCL). Perfluoropropane (C3F8) was used in 59% and silicone oil in 41%; the redetachment rate was significantly lower in gas cases (15% vs 39%) (P = .02). An encircling band, placed in 84% eyes, had a tendency to reduce redetachment (22% vs 36%) (P = .32). Lensectomy was performed in 61% of phakic eyes, with no effect on redetachment (20% vs 21%) (P = .92). On multivariate analysis, PVR and hypotony were significantly associated with redetachment. Conclusions: PPV with PFCL achieved high SSAS and FAS rates. PVR and hypotony were the main preoperative factors associated with anatomic failure. In cases without PVR, C3F8 tamponade significantly increased SSAS. Encircling scleral buckling showed a nonsignificant tendency toward an increase in SSAS. Lensectomy had no effect on SSAS.

Incidence of Epiretinal Membrane Formation After Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Giant Retinal Tear-Associated Retinal Detachment

Objective

To report the incidence of postoperative epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation after primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for giant retinal tear associated retinal detachment (GRT-RD) repair as well as its clinical characteristics and visual outcomes at a level one trauma and tertiary referral academic center.

Patients and Methods

Patients with primary RD repair for GRT-RD at West Virginia University from September 2010 to July 2021 were identified using the ICD-10 codes (H33.031, H33.032, H33.033 and H33.039). Imaging studies including optical coherence tomography (OCT) were manually reviewed pre- and post-operatively for ERM formation after PPV for GRT-RD repair in patients who underwent PPV or combined PPV and scleral buckle (SB). Univariate analysis was performed to analyze clinical factors for ERM formation.

Results

The study included 17 eyes of 16 patients who underwent PPV for GRT-RD. Postoperative ERM was observed in 70.6% (13 of 17 eyes) of the patients. Anatomic success was achieved in all patients. The mean (range) preoperative and final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logMAR units by macula status was 0.19 (0-0.5) and 0.28 (0-0.5) for macula-on and 1.7 (0.5-2.3) and 0.7 (0.2-1.9) for macular-off GRT-RDs. Clinical variables including use of medium-term tamponade with perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL), cryopexy, endodiathermy, number of tears or total clock hours of tears did not correlate with an increased risk of ERM formation.

Conclusion

Post-vitrectomized eyes for GRT-RD repair have a significantly higher incidence of ERM formation, nearing 70% in our study. Surgeons may consider prophylactic ILM peel at the time of removal of tamponade agents or weigh in ILM peel at the time of primary repair, a more challenging surgical technique in our opinion.

GIANT RETINAL TEAR DETACHMENT: Clinical Presentation and Treatment Outcomes in 396 Patients

PURPOSE

To study etiology, clinical presentation, anatomical, and functional outcomes of patients with giant retinal tear detachment at a tertiary eye institute.

METHODS

Retrospective, consecutive case series of 396 patients (396 eyes) who underwent surgery were reviewed. Factors affecting the final anatomical and functional success were determined.

RESULTS

Mean age was 37 years (range; 1-79 years), and 86% (n = 339) of the subjects were men. Trauma (21%) and high myopia (11%) were predisposing risk factors. Two hundred and seventy-seven eyes (70%) had giant retinal tear configuration of >180° and <270°, associated with partial retinal detachment in 282 (71%) eyes and macular detachment in 262 (66%) eyes. Primary surgery included pars plana vitrectomy (n = 240, 61%), pars plana vitrectomy with encirclage band (n = 152, 38%), or scleral buckle (n = 4, 1%). The mean follow-up duration was 15 months (median, 8.4 months; range, 3-83 months). Anatomical success after initial surgery was 64% (255 eyes), which improved to 78% (308 eyes) after undergoing a second vitreoretinal procedure for recurrent retinal detachment (53 eyes). Median visual acuity improved from 20/1,500 preoperatively to 20/400 at final follow-up ( P = 0.01), and 15% of eyes achieved postoperative visual acuity of 20/60 or better. Factors associated with poor anatomical success included age <16 years ( P = 0.005) and presenting visual acuity 20/400 or less ( P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Trauma and myopia constituted the major risk factors for giant retinal tear detachment in our series. Surgery for giant retinal tear detachment managed with pars plana vitrectomy with or without encirclage band and silicone oil tamponade had good anatomical and favorable visual outcomes at last follow-up.

Giant Retinal Tears: Long-Term Outcomes of Fellow Eyes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Determine clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of fellow eyes for patients with prior repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments due to a giant retinal tear (GRT).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series of patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery between January 2005 and August 2017 for GRT at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute with a minimum of one year of follow-up information. Patients with a traumatic or post-vitrectomy GRT were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual acuity and rate of retinal events in fellow eyes.

RESULTS

The study group included 51 patients; 40 others were excluded due to having less than one year of follow-up (n = 27), a history of inciting trauma (n = 11), or a GRT occurring post-vitrectomy (n = 2). The mean age was 49.9 years (range 14 to 81) and mean follow-up duration was 6.9 years (range 1 to 16). During the follow-up interval, prophylactic laser retinopexy was performed in 5 fellow eyes for retinal breaks (9.8%) and in one fellow eye with a progressing retinoschisis cavity (2.0%). One patient had a previous history of a retinal break in the fellow eye. Vitreoretinal surgery was performed in 6 (11.8%) fellow eyes for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments, of which one was caused by a GRT. Three patients (5.9%) already had a retinal detachment repair in the fellow eye prior to presentation and one patient presented with bilateral giant retinal tear associated retinal detachments (GRT-RDs) at the initial visit. Overall, there was a retinal event in 33.3% of fellow eyes. Myopia was the most commonly documented associated factor (31%), followed by lattice degeneration (22%), and known or suspected inherited vitreoretinopathy (4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Retinal tears and/or detachments were encountered relatively frequently in the fellow eye of patients with a history of GRT-RD during follow-up, but the rate of GRTs in the fellow eye (4%) was below what has been generally reported in the literature. Regular dilated fundus exams are warranted for patients with a history of GRT. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022;53:619-625.].

Anatomical and functional outcomes of retinal detachment associated with nontraumatic giant retinal tears compared to simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Background

To compare the functional and anatomical outcomes of primary surgery in patients with giant retinal tear (GRT)-associated retinal detachment (GRT-RD) to patients with simple rhegmatogenous RD (RRD).

Methods

This is a retrospective study at the CHU de Québec - Université Laval. Medical records of all consecutive patients operated for RD between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed. Patients with GRT-RD and RRD were included. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were compared between both groups, including extension of giant tears, number of RD quadrants, preoperative macula and lens status, type of surgery, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) preoperatively and at follow-up, and single surgery anatomical success (SASS).

Results

There were 39 patients (1.7%) with GRT-RD and 1661 patients (74%) with RRD. Median [Q1, Q3] ages were 59 [52, 62] years and 62 [56, 69] years (p = 0.003), while number of affected quadrants were 2 [2, 3] and 2 [2, 3] (p = 0.96) in GRT-RD and RRD patients, respectively. In GRT-RD patients, GRT size was 120 [90, 150] degrees. Final BCVA was 0.30 [0.10, 0.30] and 0.30 [0.10, 0.40] (p = 0.76) in GRT and RRD patients, respectively. SSAS was 82% (32/39) in the GRT-associated-RD group and 90% (1495/1661) in the RRD group (p = 0.10). After correcting for other preoperative factors, GRT was a risk factor for worse SSAS (odds ratio: 0.422, p = 0.047).

Conclusions

GRT-RD is still challenging to treat, and our results suggest that it is a risk factor for poorer SSAS.

Complications associated with the use of silicone oil in vitreoretinal surgery: A systemic review and meta-analysis

Silicone oil (SO) still represents the main choice for long-term intraocular tamponade in complicated vitreoretinal surgery. This review compared the complications associated with the use of SO and other vitreous substitutes after pars plana vitrectomy in patients with different underlying diseases. Meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We retrieved randomized clinical trials (RCTs), retrospective case-control and cohort studies evaluating the risk of using SO, published between 1994 and 2020, conducting a computer-based search of the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase. Primary outcome was the rate of complications such as intraocular hypertension, retinal re-detachment, unexpected vision loss or hypotony. Secondary outcome was to compare the rate of adverse events of different SO viscosities, especially emulsification. Forty-three articles were included. There were significant differences in intraocular hypertension (p = 0.0002, OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.27-2.18) and the rate of retinal re-detachment (p < 0.0009, OR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.50-0.64) between SO and other agents, including placebo. However, there were no differences in other complication rates. Silicone oil (SO)-emulsification rate was non-significantly higher in low than high SO viscosity, and results from other complications were comparable in both groups. The high quality of most of the studies included in this study is noteworthy, which provides some certainty to the conclusions. Among them is the high variability of the SO residence time. The fact that ocular hypertension and not hypotension is related to SO use. A clear relationship is not found for the so-called unexplained vision loss, which affects a significant percentage of eyes. Re-detachment cases are less if SO is used and that surprisingly there does not seem to be a relationship in the percentage of emulsification between the low- and high-viscosity silicones. All these data warrant more standardized prospective studies.

Vitrectomy versus Vitrectomy with Scleral Buckling in the Treatment of Giant Retinal Tear Related Retinal Detachments: An International Multicenter Study

PURPOSE

To determine the practice pattern for treating giant retinal tear (GRT) related detachments, and their anatomic and visual outcomes with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with or without scleral buckling (SB).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

Eyes with GRT detachments repaired from 2008-2020 with at least 6 months of follow-up from seven institutions in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

METHODS

Eyes repaired using PPV versus PPV/SB were compared.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Anatomic and functional outcomes.

RESULTS

A comparable number of eyes underwent PPV (n=101) and PPV/SB (n=99). Except for prior intraocular surgery and lens status, no differences in baseline demographics, ocular characteristics, or intraoperative surgical adjuncts were observed. Overall single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) at 6 months and 1 year was similar between the groups (82.2% and 77.2% of PPV, and 87.9% and 85.7% of PPV/SB). However, when stratified by age, the 1-year SSAS rate was higher for PPV/SB (88.5%) than PPV (56.3%) (p=0.03) for children < 18 years. For both children and adults, mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline did not differ between the PPV and PPV/SB groups. However, for children, mean BCVA at 1 year was better in the PPV/SB than PPV groups (p=0.001) while for adults, no difference was found between the two groups. The mean time to first redetachment was 7.9 months in the PPV group and 5.5 months in the PPV/SB group (p=0.8). PVR was the most common cause for redetachment (70.4% of PPV and 93.8% of PPV/SB in redetached eyes; p=0.1). Postoperative complications were also similar between the two groups including ocular hypertension, epiretinal membrane, and cataract.

CONCLUSIONS

PPV and PPV/SB are equally popular among surgeons globally for managing GRT detachments and have comparable anatomic and visual outcomes in adults. In children, PPV/SB is superior to PPV for anatomic and functional success at one year. In adults, the relief of traction by the GRT may reduce peripheral traction and obviate the need for a SB. However, in children, a supplemental SB can be beneficial as complete vitreous shaving and posterior hyaloid detachment, and postoperative positioning are difficult in this group.

Demography, clinical profile and surgical outcomes of paediatric giant retinal tear related retinal detachments

OBJECTIVE

To determine the demographic profile, clinical features and surgical outcomes of giant retinal tear (GRT) related retinal detachments (RD) in children.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, medical records of children aged 14 years and below, who underwent surgery for RD at our centre in the last 5 years were reviewed. Among these, we selected medical records of children with RDs with GRT, and examined the coloured retinal drawings, ultrawidefield photographs and/or surgical videos.

RESULTS

Out of 1536 medical records, 91 eyes of 87 children (5.6% of all RDs) were included. Mean age was 10.21 ± 3.08 years with male:female ratio of 8.6:1. The most common aetiologies for GRTs were high myopia (28 cases-32.18%) and trauma (25 cases-28.73%). Bilateral RD were possibly present in 29/87 (33.3%) cases. Six months follow up data was available for 82/91 eyes. Overall retinal re-attachment was achieved in 52/82 (63.41%) eyes; in 33/82 (40.24%) eyes retinal attachment could be achieved by a single surgery. Absence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (OR: 2.44, p-value:0.03, 95%CI: 1.21-5.08) or PVR-A (OR: 3.62, p-value: 0.03, 95%CI: 1.52-12.26) and presence of preexisting posterior vitreous detachment (OR: 7.14, p-value: 0.02, 95%CI: 1.31-38.73) were associated with successful retinal re-attachment after single surgery. Median time to presentation of cases succeeding after 1 surgery was 10 days. Ambulatory vision (1/60 and better) at final followup could be achieved in 45/82 (54.88%) eyes.

CONCLUSION

GRT relatedRDs constitute a significant proportion of paediatric RDs. Anatomical success can currently be achieved in a large number of cases. Early surgery, absence of PVR and presence of PVD are associated with higher surgical success.

Contemporary Management of Complex and Non-Complex Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Due to Giant Retinal Tears

Purpose

To investigate the clinical features and surgical outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with giant retinal tears (GRTs) at a tertiary referral center.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective, non-consecutive interventional case series of GRT-associated RRDs that underwent primary surgical repair at the University of Michigan W.K. Kellogg Eye Center between January 1, 2011 and July 1, 2020. Clinical characteristics and preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data were collected.

Results

Forty-eight eyes of 47 patients with GRT-associated RRDs met inclusion criteria, including those that were children (under 12 years, N=4, 8.3%), associated with a history of trauma (N=20, 41.7%) or with grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR-C) (N=7, 14.6%) at baseline. Median age was 46 years (interquartile range (IQR): 29 years, range: 4 to 72 years), median follow-up was 28 months (IQR: 43 months, range: 3-124 months), and 83.3% (N=40) of subjects were male. Primary surgical repair for GRT-associated RRDs included pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) (N=40, 83.3%), scleral buckle (SB) (N=1, 2.1%), or combined PPV/SB (N=7, 14.6%). Surgical approach commonly involved the use of perfluorocarbon liquid (N=43, 90%) and gas tamponade (N=39, 81%). Single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) was 75% (95% CI: 60%, 85%) at 3 months and 65% (95 CI: 47%, 78%) at 2 years. Final anatomic success was achieved in all 48 eyes (100%). Median visual acuity improved from 20/250 preoperatively to 20/60 at final follow-up, with 44% (N=20) of eyes achieving postoperative visual acuity of 20/40 or better.

Conclusion

In this series from a tertiary referral center, both complex and non-complex GRT-associated RRDs were most commonly managed with PPV alone, perfluorocarbon liquid, and gas tamponade with favorable final anatomic and visual outcomes comparable to other modern GRT series.

Comparison Between Silicone Oil and Gas in Tamponading Giant Retinal Breaks

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare anatomical and visual outcomes after using silicone oil (SO) or C₃F₈ gas as tamponades after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for retinal detachment (RD) associated with giant retinal tears (GRTs).

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted for cases that underwent PPV for GRT-associated RD. We excluded eyes that had prior vitreoretinal surgery, a history of ocular trauma or worse than grade B proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Baseline demographic and ocular characteristics, surgical details and postoperative anatomical and visual outcomes were recorded and statistically analyzed.

Results

We included 88 eyes; 48 eyes had C₃F₈ gas and 40 eyes had SO as a tamponading agent. Mean age was 39 years. All eyes underwent 23G PPV with no adjuvant scleral buckling and phacovitrectomy was performed for all phakic eyes. Final retinal reattachment was achieved in 86 eyes (97.7%). One eye from each group had recurrent RD. Postoperative vision was significantly better in the gas group (p= 0.008). Prolonged increase of IOP developed in 6 eyes in the SO group and 5 eyes in the gas group. Prolonged uveitis developed in 4 eyes in the gas group and 6 eyes in the oil group (P= 0.04). Epiretinal membranes (ERM) developed in 10 eyes in the gas group and 9 eyes in the oil group. We found no significant difference between both groups regarding postoperative glaucoma or ERM formation.

Conclusion

Both agents achieved similar favorable anatomical outcomes in a series of eyes with fresh GRT-associated RD and low-grade PVR, with better visual outcome and less frequent uveitis associated with the use of gas tamponade.

Trocar opening: silicone oil removal with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a modified technique [trocar opening (TO)] for silicone oil removal (SOR) in combination with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

METHODS

A total of 60 eyes of 60 patients with cataract and silicone oil-filled eyes were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the patients in the control group underwent 23-gauge pars plana active SOR surgery with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation, while the patients in the TO group underwent TO methods during surgery. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), surgery time, intraocular pressure, and operative complications were observed 6mo after surgery.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, preoperative, intraocular pressure, or time of silicone oil stay. Prior to surgery, the mean BCVA for the control and TO groups was 1.34±0.44 and 1.36±0.42. At 6mo following surgery, the mean BCVA improved to 0.74±0.36 and 0.77±0.32, respectively (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups. The mean SOR time was 6.9±2.3min and 4.8±1.2min in the control and TO groups (P=0.008). The total operation time was 28.2±8.5min and 24.6±6.4min, respectively (P=0.035). Posterior capsule rupture occurred in four eyes of control and none of TO group (P<0.01). Late recurrent retinal detachment occurred in one eye in the control group (2mo after surgery) and in one eye in the TO group (4mo after surgery).

CONCLUSION

TO is a simple, effective, time-saving, and safe method for SOR combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.