Outcomes of Pars Plana Vitrectomy in Inherited Retinal Degenerations

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Genetics

Background:

• Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) encompass a group of genetic disorders affecting vision.
• Surgical management of common retinal conditions like epiretinal membrane (ERM), full-thickness macular hole (FTMH), and retinal detachment (RD) in IRD patients is less understood.
• Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is a standard surgical procedure for various retinal pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for common surgical retinal conditions in patients diagnosed with inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs).
• To assess the management strategies and visual acuity results following PPV in this specific patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case series design was employed.
• Data from 26 eyes of 25 patients with IRDs undergoing PPV between 2007 and 2024 were analyzed.
• Patient demographics, clinical details, genetic and diagnostic testing, and surgical outcomes, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), were reviewed.

Main Results:

• The study included patients with ERM, FTMH, and various other retinal conditions, including retinoschisis and retinal detachments.
• Postoperative BCVA at 3 months and final follow-up was similar to preoperative levels, indicating limited visual gains.
• Significant improvement in central macular thickness was observed in ERM cases. Macular hole closure was achieved in 91% of FTMH cases with one surgery.

Conclusions:

• Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) demonstrates a high rate of anatomic success for common retinal conditions in patients with inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs).
• Visual outcomes are generally less favorable compared to non-IRD patients, warranting a conservative approach to surgical candidacy.
• Further research into optimizing surgical strategies and patient selection for IRD patients is recommended.