Outcomes of pneumatic retinopexy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a Japanese cohort

This study aimed to evaluate 12-month outcomes of pneumatic retinopexy (PnR) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in a Japanese population. This multicenter, retrospective study included 54 eyes treated with PnR between December 2020 and March 2024. Primary anatomical reattachment rate (PARR) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were assessed. Inclusion criteria were similar with those utilized in PIVOT trials. PARR was analyzed for all cases, for eyes with a single break, and by break location: superior (10-2 o'clock), superior and inferior (10-2 and 4-8 o'clock; inferior breaks in the attached retina), and lateral/nasal (8-10 or 2-4 o'clock). BCVA (logMAR) significantly improved from 0.28 ± 0.63 preoperatively to 0.01 ± 0.21 at 6 months (p < 0.01) and - 0.00 ± 0.22 at 12 months (p < 0.01). The overall PARR was 94.4% (51/54 eyes), with higher success for eyes with a single break (97.2%) and horizontal breaks (100%), except for eyes with superior and inferior breaks (75%). Failures (n = 3) were due to redetachment from the same break (n = 2) or new break formation (n = 1), all of which were successfully treated with vitrectomy. With appropriate case selection, PnR may be effective for treating RRD in the Japanese population.