[Pseudophakic retinal detachment: treatment by vitrectomy and scleral buckling. Pilot study]

Localization of retinal tears generating a pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD) is not always possible; subsequently, segmental indentation by external compression often causes a residual RD. Vitrectomy enables a detailed view of the peripheral part of the retina and better detection of small size retinal breaks. Our pilot survey report anatomic and functional results of a surgical treatment of pseudophakic RD, associating vitrectomy and scleral buckling.

Twenty three consecutive pseudophakic eyes showing an RD were operated on with scleral buckling, vitrectomy, internal subretinal fluid drainage, endolaser and fluid-air exchange by SF(6) 20%. Preoperative findings, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and final results were analyzed.

The retina was successfully reattached with a single operation in 21 eyes (92%). One eye presented a recurrence of RD due to a preexisting retinal tear. PVR was observed in one case with the recurrence of the RD. In both cases, a second operation achieved the retinal reattachment. After surgery, visual acuity improved on an average of 3 lines. The most frequently occurring complication was a transitory hypertony in 6 cases (26%).

Surgical treatment of the pseudophakic RD, combining vitrectomy and scleral buckling shows very good anatomic and functional results; it seems to offer the advantage of a better localization of peripheral retina tears, which enables a recovery with a lower recurrence rate than by extra-ocular surgery only.