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Importance: Quantifying severity of complications in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgical trials is needed. A consensus classification system will help surgeons to more effectively compare harms of different surgical techniques., Objective: To develop a new consensus-based classification to quantify severity of complications of RRD surgery., Design, Setting, and Participants: A comprehensive list of complications was developed followed by a Delphi consensus survey of international vitreoretinal surgeons. The survey was conducted in 17 countries in mainland Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Asia, South Africa, and Australia. Seventy vitreoretinal surgeons were invited to take part in the Delphi survey; 45 agreed to participate. Participants were selected through boards/members lists of retinal societies. Data were analyzed between April 2019 and August 2019., Main Outcomes and Measures: Consensus-derived classification of complications of RRD surgery, according to their severity., Results: Forty-three of 45 vitreoretinal surgeons who agreed to participate in the Delphi survey completed round 1 (96%); all but 1 (98%) completed round 2. Consensus was reached for 96% of the 84 complications assessed. Examples of complications classified as least severe (graded 1) included subconjunctival hemorrhage and chemosis while those classified as most severe included endophthalmitis and sympathetic ophthalmia (graded 9) and phthisis (graded 10)., Conclusions and Relevance: We propose a new classification for quantifying severity of surgical complications based on an international consensus of vitreoretinal surgeons to quantify harm and improve the reporting of complications of RRD surgery.

Objective: To investigate outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for complications of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)., Design: Retrospective, noncomparative case series., Participants: The medical records of all patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery for complications of BRVO at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 1998 were reviewed. Thirty-six eyes from 36 consecutive patients were identified., Main Outcome Measures: Visual acuity outcomes include preservation of preoperative visual acuity and visual acuity greater than or equal to 20/40, 20/200 and 5/200. When preoperative retinal detachment was present, the anatomic outcome assessed was complete retinal attachment. Postoperative event rates of retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, epiretinal membrane (ERM), and cataract were tabulated. All outcomes were assessed at 6 months., Results: Surgical indications included nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage (17 patients), traction retinal detachment involving the macula (15), and ERM (4). Mean follow-up was 19 months. Preoperatively, best-corrected vision was greater than or equal to 20/200 in 19/36 (53%) eyes. Six months postoperatively, best-corrected vision was greater than or equal to 20/40 in 12/36 (33%) eyes, greater than or equal to 20/200 in 27/36 (75%) eyes, and greater than or equal to 5/200 in 31/36 (86%) eyes. Postoperative complications included retinal detachment (2/36; 6% eyes), ERM (3; 8%), vitreous hemorrhage (2; 6%), suprachoroidal hemorrhage (1; 3%), central retinal vein occlusion (1; 3%), and central retinal artery occlusion (1; 3%). Clinical features associated with better visual outcome include better preoperative visual acuity (P: = 0.05), absence of preoperative afferent pupillary defect (P: = 0.01), and absence of preoperative macular edema (P: = 0.08)., Conclusions: Following surgery, retinal attachment and improved visual acuity were achieved in the majority of patients. Pre-existing pathology and postoperative complications may limit final vision in eyes with BRVO.

Objective: To compare rates of perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) intraocular retention, anatomic and visual acuity outcomes, and complications associated with intraoperative perfluoro-n-octane (Perfluoron) versus perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene (Vitreon) in retinal detachment repair., Design: Retrospective noncomparative consecutive case series., Participants and Methods: Records of consecutive patients who underwent retinal detachment repair with intraoperative Perfluoron (n = 78) or Vitreon (n = 84) at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between November 1, 1991, and October 31, 1994, were retrospectively reviewed., Main Outcome Measures: Comparison of PFCL intraocular retention rates, retinal reattachment rates, visual acuity outcomes, and postoperative complication rates between the Perfluoron and Vitreon groups at postoperative day 1, week 1, month 1, month 3, and month 6. To assess the study's generalizability, the Perfluoron data obtained in the current study were compared with results of the Perfluoron Multicenter Clinical Study., Results: Retained Perfluoron was noted less frequently (P < 0.03) than retained Vitreon at each postoperative visit assessed. At 6 months postoperatively, the cumulative rate of retained PFCL (noted at any of the study postoperative visits) was 7.8% of patients in the Perfluoron group and 38.3% in the Vitreon group (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between the groups in retinal reattachment rates; at 6 months postoperatively, the retina was attached in 45 of 61 (74%) patients in the Perfluoron group and 36 of 57 (63%) patients in the Vitreon group (P = 0.2). There was a trend (P = 0.055) toward better 6-month visual acuity in the Perfluoron group compared with the Vitreon group. The incidence of corneal abnormality at any study visit was 46.7% in the Perfluoron group and 77.4% in the Vitreon group (P < 0.001). At 6 months postoperatively, the cumulative rate of elevated intraocular pressure (>25 mmHg) was 13 +/- 4% and 37 +/- 5%, respectively (P = 0.004). No significant difference was found between the groups in rates of postoperative hypotony. Results of this study are comparable with those observed in the Perfluoron Multicenter Clinical Study., Conclusions: In this study, Perfluoron was retained intraocularly less frequently than Vitreon. Although no significant difference was found between groups in retinal reattachment rates, Perfluoron is associated with slightly better 6-month visual acuity and lower rates of corneal abnormality and elevated intraocular pressure compared with Vitreon.

Objective: To study the frequency, features, and outcomes of retinal detachment (RD) occurring after macular hole surgery., Methods: Retrospective review of all cases of macular hole surgery. Cases with postoperative RD were identified for study. Outcome measures included baseline demographic and ocular characteristics, RD features, surgical procedure, macular hole status, and final visual and anatomic outcomes., Results: Retinal detachment occurred in 8 (1.8%) of 438 eyes undergoing macular hole surgery. The rate of RD was 3.5% early in the course of the surgeon's experience (first 200 cases) and 0.4% later in the surgeon's experience (after 200 cases) (P = 0.026). Two of the eight eyes with RD had undergone previous macular hole surgery. All six primary cases occurred after repair of stage 3 macular holes, which had involved peeling of the posterior cortical face. The RD involved the inferior quadrants in seven eyes and the macula in two eyes. The pathogenic retinal break was in the equatorial region in four eyes, was anterior to the equator in two eyes, and remained undetermined in two eyes. The retina was attached and the macular hole was closed in all cases at the final follow-up examination (mean 30 months). The macular hole reopened 2 years following successful reattachment of the RD in one eye. Final visual acuity was > or =20/60 in four eyes and <20/200 in one eye., Conclusion: Retinal detachment after macular hole surgery is uncommon, and may be related to posterior cortical vitreous stripping. Early detection of RD minimizes adverse visual and anatomic outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction and change in functional status after surgery for epiretinal membrane (ERM), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), and complex retinal detachment (CRD). This study also aimed to determine whether objective measures of vision are predictive of subjective improvement after surgery., Design: The study design included patient interviews and retrospective chart review., Participants: Participants were those patients who underwent surgery for ERM, RRD, or CRD by one surgeon at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1994., Intervention: Patient satisfaction and patients' perceptions of the impact of surgery on their functional status were assessed by telephone interviews conducted by one interviewer at least 6 months after surgery., Main Outcome Measures: Responses to patient satisfaction survey and subjective change in patients' functional status were measured., Results: Of 187 eligible patients, 146 (78.1%) could be contacted and all agreed to participate. Ninety patients (61.6%) reported improved functioning after surgery in 2 or more of the 5 activities investigated. Twenty-one patients (14.4%) reported worse postoperative vision than expected, but only 5 patients (3.4%) thought surgery had not been worthwhile. One hundred forty-three patients (97.9%) reported adequate explanation of surgery and its expected results. Patients with preoperative study eye visual acuity between 20/40 and 20/200 were most likely to improve in two or more activities. Lower preoperative worse eye vision and better final study eye vision were associated with a greater likelihood of satisfaction after surgery. Diagnostic category was not predictive of change in functional status or patient satisfaction., Conclusions: There is a high rate of patient satisfaction and improved functional status after surgery for ERM, RRD, and CRD, even among patients with good fellow eye vision.

Background and Objective: To assess the outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery in the treatment of vision-threatening posterior segment complications of X-linked retinoschisis., Patients and Methods: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 16 eyes from 11 patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery. All the patients had a documented positive family history of X-linked retinoschisis, and all patients had bilateral macular disease., Results: The ages of the patients ranged from 14 months to 37 years (mean age 15.1 years; median age 11.5 years), and postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 months to 10 years (mean 2.8 years; median 1 year). The indications for surgical intervention included rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (12 eyes), vitreous hemorrhage (2 eyes), progression of the schisis cavity through the fovea (2 eyes), cataract associated with a persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous-like condition (2 eyes), and exudative maculopathy (1 eye). The primary surgical intervention included pars plana vitrectomy alone (7 eyes), pars plana vitrectomy and pars plana lensectomy (4 eyes), and a scleral buckle procedure alone (5 eyes). Surgical success (defined as reattachment of the retina, removal of media opacities, or arrest of schisis progression) was achieved in 14 of 16 eyes, after an average of 1.2 procedures per eye. The major reason for reoperations was recurrent retinal detachment due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Two eyes were eventually enucleated due to pain associated with neovascular glaucoma resulting from recurrent retinal detachment. Of the remaining 14 eyes, visual acuity improved in 8 eyes and remained unchanged in 6 eyes., Conclusion: Vitreoretinal surgery is often helpful in stabilizing or improving visual function in patients with posterior segment complications from X-linked retinoschisis.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transscleral diode laser for retinopexy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery in a multicenter trial., Methods: Seventy-two patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were enrolled. No patient with chronic detachment, a retinal break greater than 90 degrees, history of uveitis or infectious retinopathy, or proliferative vitreoretinopathy was enrolled., Results: Information from follow-up of 6 months or longer was available on 65 eyes. Retinas were attached at 6 months with a single operation in 58 (89%) of these eyes. Complications included apparent pinpoint breaks in Bruch's membrane in 15 eyes, scleral-thermal effect in 14 eyes, and limited hemorrhage, which was intraretinal in 10 eyes and extended into the vitreous in 3 eyes. In one case, hemorrhage was judged perhaps to have contributed to initial surgical failure. The other complications had no known adverse effects. Complications were significantly associated with the physician's experience in using transscleral laser retinopexy., Conclusions: In this multicenter study, transscleral diode laser retinopexy served as a safe and effective means of creating chorioretinal adhesion during retinal reattachment surgery. Minor complications were minimized by increasing experience with the technique.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transscleral diode laser for retinopexy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery in a multicenter trial., Design: 67 patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment underwent scleral buckling surgery, using transscleral diode laser for retinopexy, at five study centers., Study Participants: 72 patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were enrolled. No patient with chronic detachment, a retinal break greater than 90 degrees, history of uveitis or infectious retinopathy, or proliferative vitreoretinopathy was enrolled. Five eyes were excluded because they required additional nonprotocol treatment at the time of surgery (vitrectomy or supplementary cryotherapy due to probe malfunction)., Main Outcome Measures: Retinal reattachment at six months after one operation. Secondary measures: visual acuity and complications, including choroidal, retinal, and vitreous hemorrhage, inflammation, and scleral damage., Results: Six months or greater follow-up information was available on 65 eyes. Retinas were attached at 6 months with a single operation in 58 (89%) of these eyes. Complications included apparent pinpoint breaks in Bruch is membrane in 15 eyes, scleral thermal effect in 14 eyes, and limited hemorrhage, which was intraretinal in 10 eyes, and extended into the vitreous in 3 eyes. In one case, hemorrhage was judged to have contributed possibly to initial surgical failure. The other complications had no known adverse effects. Complications were significantly associated with the physicians experience with transscleral laser retinopexy., Conclusion: In this multicenter series, transscleral diode laser retinopexy served as a safe and effective means of creating chorioretinal adhesion during retinal reattachment surgery. Minor complications were minimized by increasing experience with the technique.

Background and Objective: Retinal detachment is a complication of dislocated crystalline and intraocular lenses. The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency and management of coexisting or subsequent retinal detachment in patients with retained lens fragments or dislocated posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOLs)., Patients and Methods: A retrospective, consecutive series of patients undergoing vitrectomy for dislocated PC IOLs (99 eyes) or removal of retained lens material (80 eyes) were studied., Results: Eyes with retinal detachment and retained lens fragments (2 cases) or dislocated PC IOLs (2 cases), or retinal detachment following vitrectomy for removal of retained lens fragments (2 cases) or repair of dislocated IOL (1 cases) were identified. The prevalence of coexisting or postoperative retinal detachment and retained lens fragments (5% total) was slightly higher than the prevalence of coexisting or postoperative retinal detachment and dislocated PC IOLs (3% total). The retina was reattached in all cases using the standard scleral buckling and vitrectomy techniques., Conclusion: The rate of retinal detachment associated with retained lens material is decreased compared with previous reports. This may possibly be a results of increasing attention to minimizing surgical trauma by the cataract surgeon at the time of lens fragment loss and by the vitrectomy surgeon during primary repair.

Purpose: To quantitate the effect of diabetic vitrectomy on each patient's visual system and function., Methods: The anatomic and visual acuity outcomes of diabetic vitrectomy among three surgeons at one institution over a 4-year time interval were studied. Outcome parameters describing the visual system function were defined and applied to quantitate the effect on visual system disability., Results: The anatomic and visual success rates and prognostic factors in the cohort of 213 patients by standard statistical analysis were similar to previous studies. The study eye was the eye with better vision in 68 (32%) patients at the conclusion of the study, and vision was equal to the fellow eye in 35 (16%) patients. The mean impairment of the visual system by the American Medical Association Guidelines for Disability was reduced from 61% preoperatively to 50% postoperatively. The factor associated with greatest degree of reduction of impairment of the visual system was a previtrectomy diagnosis of vitreous hemorrhage. There was at least a one-step improvement of visual system function in 65 (31%) patients., Conclusions: Vitrectomy for complications of severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy is especially valuable in improving the patient's overall visual function.

Purpose: To evaluate the utility, safety, and reliability of diode laser endophotocoagulation in a sizable clinical series., Methods: Two hundred twenty-six consecutive eyes treated with diode endophotocoagulation were studied prospectively. Surgical indications included proliferative diabetic retinopathy (134 eyes), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (27 eyes), complicated retinal detachment (50 eyes), and miscellaneous (15 eyes). A retrospective comparison group of 67 consecutive eyes undergoing vitrectomy with argon endolaser photocoagulation was also studied., Results: The desired intraoperative effect of diode endophotocoagulation was achieved in 99.6% cases without complication. Final visual acuity was improved in 159 eyes (71%), and was 5/200 or better in 157 eyes (70%) with diode endophotocoagulation. In comparison, final visual acuity was improved in 48 eyes (73%), and was 5/200 or better in 45 eyes (68%) for argon endophotocoagulation. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding rate of visual improvement or final visual results., Conclusion: This series supports the conclusion that the diode laser is as safe, reliable, and effective for endophotocoagulation as argon treatment.

Purpose: Eyes with concurrent endophthalmitis and retinal detachment usually have a poor anatomic and visual outcome after treatment. The purpose of this study is to define the relation among the causative organism, the results of retinal detachment repair, and the final visual acuity., Methods: Data were retrieved by a retrospective, computer-assisted review of the coded inpatient diagnoses from April 1987 through March 1992., Results: This study included 16 patients (9 males, 7 females) ranging in age from 5 to 88 years (average, 58.7 years). Endophthalmitis was classified as exogenous in 13 (81%) patients and endogenous in 3 (19%). Two groups were identified: a virulent group that included eight (50%) patients (Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, gram-negative, Bacillus), and a less-virulent group that included eight (50%) patients (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes, fungal). The initial surgical procedure consisted of diagnostic vitreous fluid collection by pars plana vitrectomy (11 cases), anterior vitrectomy (1 case), or vitreous aspiration (4 cases). Additional initial adjunctive surgical procedures included pars plana lensectomy (2 cases), scleral buckling (6 cases), fluid-gas exchange (7 cases), and intraocular antibiotic injections (9 cases). In six (75%) of eight patients with endophthalmitis in the virulent group, the retina remained detached. However, in seven (88%) of eight patients with endophthalmitis in the less-virulent group, the retina remained reattached postoperatively, and the remaining patient had a stable, nonprogressive peripheral tractional retinal detachment. None of the eight patients with endophthalmitis in the virulent group retained a postoperative visual acuity of better than 3/200, and four (50%) lost all light perception. Five (62%) of the eight patients with endophthalmitis in the less-virulent group retained a postoperative visual acuity of 5/200 or better, and none lost all light perception., Conclusions: Concurrent endophthalmitis and retinal detachment patients with virulent organisms have a poor prognosis. Visual and anatomic outcomes were better in the less-virulent group.

Scleral buckle infection following retinal reattachment surgery is infrequent but not rare. We identified 45 cases among approximately 3000 scleral buckling procedures performed at our institution between July 1, 1985 and July 1, 1991. The scleral buckle was exposed in all 45, and the subsequent microbiologic culture was positive in 33. The most common causative organism was coagulase negative staphylococci (17 of 33 cases with positive cultures). Risk factors for an adverse outcome included positive culture, preoperative vision < or = 20/200, and preoperative retinal detachment. Broad spectrum antibiotics covered organism sensitivity profiles in 16 of the 18 cases tested. Prompt removal of infected buckles and treatment with broad-spectrum topical antibiotics are important for maintaining vision.

The holmium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) laser produces infrared light that is absorbed inside scleral tissues, which increases local temperature, thereby shrinking collagen and inducing a buckle effect. Scleral indentation was induced in ten cadaver eyes by shrinkage of scleral collagen fibers by using a pulsed solid-state Ho:YAG (2.1-microns) laser with fiberoptic delivery. The amount of laser-induced buckling effect is controlled by selecting laser treatment settings such as beam spot, radiant exposure, and number of pulses. With treatment using 11.3 +/- 1.2 J/cm2 of laser radiant exposure and five pulses, laser-induced scleral shrinkage affected only the external two thirds of the scleral tissue. No thermal damage or disruption was observed in subjacent retinal pigment epithelium, choroid, or retina. The coupling of two appropriately selected lasers may allow laser-induced scleral buckling and transscleral retinal photocoagulation by using the same laser probe for retinal reattachment.

A retinal break and localized retinal detachment were induced in 10 rabbit eyes. The retinal break was treated within regions of detached retina using diode laser transscleral retinopexy (four eyes), diode laser indirect ophthalmoscopy (two eyes), or retinocryopexy (two eyes). Two eyes were left as untreated controls. The clinical and histopathologic effects were studied 1 day and 3 weeks after initial treatment. Suitable chorioretinal adhesions were induced with all treatment modalities. The extent of tissue effects was greater in cryopexy and smaller in laser treatment. The histopathologic characteristics of the lesions induced by diode laser indirect ophthalmoscopy were similar to those seen with transscleral diode treatment and were more focal than those seen with cryopexy. Transscleral and transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation were effective in inducing chorioretinal adhesions in detached retina in this experimental model in rabbits.

Recurrent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment sometimes occurs following scleral buckling surgery in the absence of advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy (grade C-2 or greater). Such detachments can occur because: 1) the scleral buckle is not properly positioned beneath the original break; 2) the buckle is not high enough; 3) the break is elevated off the buckle due to progressive vitreous traction; 4) there are new breaks; and 5) chorioretinal adhesion is insufficient. Techniques that may be useful for reattaching the retina in these cases include: 1) adding scleral buckling material to augment the original buckle; 2) modifying the existing buckle without adding new material; 3) replacing the original buckle with other material; 4) re-treating inadequately closed breaks; and 5) combinations of these four techniques. Vitrectomy may be avoided in many cases.

Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) was done in 31 eyes of 27 patients after previous retinal reattachment surgery with scleral buckling. A posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted in 21 eyes. No significant modifications in the cataract surgical technique were necessary. Final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 26 eyes (84%). The complication rate was low. One patient was found to have a retinal detachment (RD) after cataract extraction that probably predated the cataract surgery. No recurrent retinal tears or detachment developed in any patients during an average 24-month follow-up period.

One hundred three cases of retinal dialysis from the files of the Eye Pathology Laboratory at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute from the years 1968 to 1981 were reviewed histopathologically. The major etiological mechanisms are illustrated and their pertinent features discussed. Although most of these cases were clearly related to trauma, several were of idiopathic origin and two of those were bilateral. A possible role for lattice degeneration in retinal dialysis is demonstrated. The literature dealing with the clinical, experimental, and histopathologic features of retinal dialysis is reviewed.

Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in 16 eyes to release vitreomacular traction. All patients had a symptomatic preoperative decrease in visual acuity, most often to 20/200. Partial detachment of the posterior vitreous surface was associated with vitreoretinal attachment remaining in the area of the macula and sometimes to the optic nerve head. The posterior vitreous traction on the macula was released by tangential traction on the posterior vitreous surface, causing it to separate from the retina. The postoperative vision was the same or improved in each case. No operative complications occurred, but progressive nuclear sclerosis developed postoperatively in five of the 15 phakic eyes.