Background: Previous studies have shown that grade B proliferate vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a considerable risk factor for the development of severe postoperative PVR. We conducted a prospective study to elucidate which surgical procedures used in retinal detachment management may stimulate the PVR process in such eyes.
Materials and methods: The study included 156 eyes of 152 consecutive patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by grade B PVR referred before any failed surgery and operated on between 1983 and 1993. The parameters evaluated by multivariate statistical analysis included the cumulative circumferential extent of the retinal tears, the extent of the scleral buckle, gas injection, vitrectomy, the method used for retinopexy, and the time of surgical management during the period of the study.
Results: The incidence of severe postoperative PVR was 25.8% in eyes managed with cryotreatment versus 2.2% in eyes managed with argon laser photocoagulation (P = 0.001). The rate of severe postoperative PVR was not influenced by the other surgical variables.
Conclusion: We conclude that cryotherapy may be a risk factor for the development of severe postoperative PVR in retinal detachments associated with grade B PVR.