The risk of fellow eyes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

A review of the current literature regarding the risk of nontraumatic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the fellow eye and prophylaxis of predisposing lesions is presented.

Although reports vary in study design and inclusion/exclusion criteria, the risk of retinal detachment in fellow eyes is similar to prior findings. Studies on prophylactic therapy also treated different cohorts. This makes drawing definitive conclusions difficult.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment poses a significant threat to the fellow eye. Risk factors specifically relevant to the fellow eye are discussed. There is insufficient evidence to recommend prophylactic therapy for prevention of retinal detachment in the fellow eye. To date, no prospective, randomized clinical trial on the prevention of retinal detachment in the fellow eye has been published.