Surgical treatment of retinal detachments complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy

During the last four years we treated 82 consecutive patients (83 eyes) with retinal detachments complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy. We used pars plana vitrectomy combined with a broad scleral buckle, cryotherapy to the retinal breaks, and a temporary intraocular gas bubble. The retina was successfully reattached in 55 eyes (66%). Our success rate improved from five of 12 eyes (42%) in 1980 to 25 of 31 eyes (81%) in 1983. We believe that a better understanding of the disease process and the use of a combination of surgical techniques were the main factors accounting for our improved results during the last years of this series.