Pneumatic retinopexy: a survey of current practice patterns among the vitreous society members

It was our purpose to assess the current practice patterns of vitreoretinal surgeons in the continental United States regarding the use of pneumatic retinopexy for the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Preferences of vitreoretinal surgeons regarding the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were obtained via mail survey of all active members of the Vitreous Society residing in the continental United States as of December 1995. Forty-eight percent of those surveyed responded to the questionnaire. Scleral buckle was preferred over pneumatic retinopexy by more than 2 to 1 for repair of multiple superior tears within 3 clock hours, moderate myopia, small vitreous hemorrhage, detached macula, age greater than 65 years old, visually significant cataract, mild proliferative vitreoretinopathy, pseudophakia, and patient membership in an HMO. Pneumatic retinopexy was preferred in patients who were uninsured and in cases in which an operating room was not immediately available. Although the initial success rate of pneumatic retinopexy was felt to be lower than scleral buckling, the majority felt that there was no difference in the ultimate visual outcome. Among responding members of the Vitreous Society, scleral buckling continues to be the procedure of choice for the repair of the majority of primary retinal detachments.