Purpose: To report the postoperative finding of a dense, permanent, peripheral temporal visual field defect in the treated eyes of three patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with air/fluid exchange.
Methods: The patient's charts were reviewed.
Results: Visual field loss after pars plana vitrectomy and air/fluid exchange occurs and may be caused by mechanical trauma to the optic nerve head.
Conclusion: Great caution is advised when aspirating directly over the optic nerve with any extrusion instrument.