[Pseudophakic retinal detachment is frequently a sequela of surgical complications]

In a retrospective study we analyzed the records of 18 patients with pseudophakic retinal detachment. Cataract operation had been performed by extracapsular (n = 14) and intracapsular procedures (n = 6). In 14 of 18 cases, intra- or postoperative complications preceded the retinal detachment: capsular rupture with vitreous loss and anterior vitrectomy during cataract operation (n = 5), vitreous wick (n = 5), and explantation of the intraocular lens because of chronic intraocular inflammation (n = 3). At the time of admittance for retinal surgery, 14 patients (78%) had a detached macula. In 8 cases (44%), proliferative vitreoretinopathy had developed. In 17 of 18 cases (94%), the retina could be reattached by buckling procedures alone or combined with vitrectomy and SF6 or silicone oil tamponade. The risk of retinal detachment in pseudophakic eyes should be reduced by careful anterior vitrectomy in cases of vitreous prolapse and vitreous wick or by avoiding lens implantation in complicated cataract operations.