Surgical drainage of chronic serous retinal detachment associated with uveitis

To evaluate the anatomic and visual outcomes after surgical management of chronic serous retinal detachments (SRD) associated with uveitis.

Retrospective, interventional, case study of patients with uveitis with controlled ocular inflammation who underwent drainage of a chronic SRD at the Cole Eye Institute (1998-2006). Data collected included diagnosis, ophthalmic findings, medical management, surgical technique, complications, and anatomic and visual outcomes.

Five patients with uveitis were identified who underwent surgical drainage of a SRD. Preoperative medical treatment included prednisone 1 mg/kg with various tapering regimens. The median time on oral corticosteroids preoperatively was 4 months (range 3-6 months). Four patients received further adjuvant treatment. Median time from SRD diagnosis to surgical drainage was 6 months (range 3-15 months). No patient had active intraocular inflammation preoperatively. Retinal reattachment was achieved in all patients after a median follow-up of 55 months (range 1-61 months). Four of five patients experienced improvement in visual acuity after surgical intervention.

Select patients with uveitis with a SRD whose subretinal fluid fails to resorb after medical therapy and resolution of inflammation can achieve long-term retinal reattachment by surgical management.