-Choroidal detachment associated with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a risk factor for postoperative PVR?

To determine whether preoperative choroidal detachment associated with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is an independent risk factor for postoperative PVR.

One hundred eighty nine primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments in 187 consecutive patients, initially operated on by the same surgeon, were enrolled in a prospective study. Ten eyes showed preoperative choroidal detachment associated with retinal detachment. Owing to the small number of eyes with preoperative choroidal detachment, we conducted the statistical analysis using the calculation of relative risk.

The correlation between preoperative choroidal detachment and preoperative PVR grade C-D was statistically significant (RR: 9.03; confidence interval: 2.91-28). Postoperative PVR occurred, or recurred, in one of the 10 eyes with preoperative choroidal detachment (10%), and 10 of the 179 eyes with no choroidal detachment (5.58%). The difference between the two groups is not statistically significant (RR: 1.79; confidence interval: 0.25-12.64). All eyes which developed postoperative PVR showed one or two recognized independent risk factors for postoperative PVR (preoperative PVR grade C-D and/or retinal tears > or = 90 degrees).

With the treatment modalities used in the present series (preoperative and postoperative steroids, and vitreoretinal microsurgery) preoperative choroidal detachment associated with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment no longer appears to be an independent risk factor for postoperative PVR.