Subtotal open-sky vitrectomy for severe retinal detachment occurring as a late complication of ocular trauma

Subtotal open-sky vitrectomy was performed on 50 eyes with severe retinal detachment that developed as a late complication of ocular trauma. The retina was reattached in 32% of the eyes and vision was improved in 50% of the reattached cases. Two cases of giant retinal tear with massive preretinal retraction were successfully treated by suturing the retinal flap of the tear to the choroid. Subtotal open-sky vitrectomy may be helpful in cases in which closed vitrectomy has failed or would be likely to fail.