Pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with benign retinal tumors

Two patients with known histories of benign retinal tumors presented with rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD) in the same eye. One had a retinocytoma and presenting vision of 20/50, while the other had congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and vision of 20/30. Both had subretinal fluid accumulation in a configuration consistent with a retinal break near the tumor; however, no breaks were detected on examination or intraoperatively. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), drainage retinotomy, fluid-air exchange, barrier laser around the tumor, and gas tamponade successfully reattached the retina in both cases. After 12 and 6 months of follow-up, respectively, final vision was 20/25 and the retina remained attached. RRD may be associated with benign retinal tumors presumably with microscopic breaks at the margins. In these cases, PPV, drainage retinotomy, fluid-air exchange, endolaser around the tumor, and gas tamponade can be effective for treatment.