Purpose: A technique for managing giant retinal tears without proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is presented, and visual outcome, anatomic reattachment, and postoperative complications are discussed.
Methods: A total of 25 consecutive cases of retinal detachment from giant retinal tears in eyes without PVR that had not previously undergone surgery were reviewed. A surgical technique combining pars plana vitrectomy, perfluoro-octane, and fluid-gas exchange was used. Scleral buckling was performed in 23 (92%) of 25 eyes, and pars plana lensectomy was performed in 11 (69%) of the 16 phakic eyes. A minimum follow-up period of 6 months was documented in each case.
Results: Of the 25 eyes, redetachment occurred in 3 (12%) after the initial procedure, and further surgery was necessary to successfully reattach the retina. A total of 9 secondary procedures were performed in 7 (28%) of the 25 eyes. Final retinal reattachment was achieved in all 25 eyes. Final Snellen visual acuity was 20/80 or better in 18 (72%) patients and 20/200 or better in 21 (84%) patients.
Conclusion: The anatomic and visual results of this method of surgical treatment of giant retinal tears without PVR compare favorably to those achieved with techniques that use a nonbuckling approach, but with reduced ocular morbidity.