Giant retinal tear management: an Asian experience

To report the management of giant retinal tears (GRT).

Retrospective review of all patients who underwent surgery for GRT with at least 6 months follow-up.

A total of 124 patients with 128 eyes were managed for GRT between 1991 and 2005. Of them, 99 eyes of 96 patients with at least 6 months follow-up were reviewed (mean follow-up 63.38 months). There were 113 men and the mean age was 39.6 years (8-72 years). Myopia was present in 81 eyes (63.3%) with mean myopia -7.56 dioptres sphere, DS (-1.00 to -27.00 DS). All eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy. Scleral buckling was done in 90 eyes (70.3%) and lens removal in 49 of 95 phakic eyes (51.2%). Total 84 eyes (84.8%) were re-attached at 6 months after vitrectomy. This was achieved with one surgery in 71 eyes (71.7%). The mean number of surgeries for reattachment was 1.19 surgeries. At 6 months, 41 eyes (41.4%) regained 20/40 or better vision. A total of 47 vitreoretinal pathologies were seen in the fellow eyes of the 124 patients, including 4 with GRTs.

Surgical success for GRT can be achieved with good visual outcome in 84.8% after a mean of 1.19 surgeries. The fellow eyes are however at risk of pathologies and should be followed-up in the long term.