MACULAR OUTER RETINAL ATROPHY AFTER VITRECTOMY AND HYPOTONY: TWO CASES

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Ocular Pathology

Background:

• Vitrectomy is a common surgical procedure for various retinal conditions.
• Post-operative hypotony can occur after vitrectomy and has potential complications.
• Focal outer retinal atrophy is a degenerative condition affecting the outer layers of the retina.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe two cases of focal outer retinal atrophy and hypotony following vitrectomy.
• To investigate the relationship between post-vitrectomy hypotony and retinal atrophy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records for two patients treated between 2019 and 2023.
• Detailed analysis of surgical history, post-operative course, and ophthalmologic examinations.

Main Results:

• Patient 1 developed hypotony and focal outer retinal atrophy after vitrectomy, epiretinal membrane peel, and cataract extraction, resulting in a paracentral scotoma.
• Patient 2 experienced hypotony with macular folds after IOL exchange surgery, followed by focal chorioretinal atrophy and reduced central vision.
• Both cases demonstrated stable areas of atrophy despite normalization of intraocular pressure.

Conclusions:

• Hypotony after vitrectomy is a rare but potential risk factor for developing focal chorioretinal atrophy.
• Early recognition and management of post-vitrectomy hypotony may be crucial.
• Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and long-term implications of this complication.