Reoperations and visual results after failed pneumatic retinopexy

A single pneumatic retinopexy (PR) procedure failed to achieve permanent retinal reattachment in 23 (23%) of 101 cases of simple primary retinal detachment (RD). In 12 (16%) of 76 cases that were phakic or had an intact posterior capsule, a single PR failed compared with 11 (44%) of 25 cases without an intact posterior capsule. A total of 27 reoperations including eight repeat PRs (5 of which were successful) was required to achieve permanent retinal reattachment. Comparison of the final visual acuity and change from preoperative to final visual acuity between the initially failed and the successful cases demonstrated that initial failure of PR does not adversely affect the visual outcome. In all cases, the retina remained reattached at latest follow-up.