Bilateral identical intervals between phacoemulsification procedures performed 23 years before retinal detachment

We aim to present a case of bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after successful phacoemulsification procedures performed 23 years before RRD onset and surgical management. A 57-year-old female presented with blurred vision due to floaters in the left eye. The patient was followed up with dilated fundus examination. The patient underwent bilateral uneventful cataract extraction 23 years before the baseline visit with the use of phacoemulsification. Dilated fundus examination revealed RRD in the left eye that was managed with a 25G pars plana vitrectomy, cryopexy, and 16% C3F8 expandable gas. Thirty-three days following the procedure in the left eye, the patient presented with RRD in the right eye. Management included a 25G pars plana vitrectomy with cryopexy and 20% SF6 expandable gas. Phacoemulsification ultrasound energy appears to bring about changes in the peripheral vitreous and retina that may manifest several decades following uncomplicated cataract extraction.