Our Summary

This study looked at the medical records of 562 young Japanese patients who had a condition called rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), which is when the retina detaches from the back of the eye. The patients had surgery between 2013 and 2016 to correct this issue. The two types of surgery used were scleral buckling (SB), where a silicone band is attached around the eye, and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), which involves removing the vitreous gel from the eye.

Just under half of the patients had the SB surgery, while just over 44% had PPV. The study found that both types of surgery had nearly the same success rate in terms of reattaching the retina. It also found that both procedures led to improvements in vision for the patients.

However, the study did find that those who had the PPV surgery had a slightly higher rate of developing issues such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy (a growth on the retina) and cataracts within a year of the surgery when compared to those who had the SB procedure.

In conclusion, while both surgeries were equally effective in treating RRD, the possibility of developing cataracts after PPV might be a downside to consider.

FAQs

  1. What is rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and how is it treated?
  2. What were the two types of surgeries used in the study and what was their success rate?
  3. What are the potential issues that can develop after the PPV surgery according to the study?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about retinal detachment surgery is to follow all post-operative instructions carefully, including attending all follow-up appointments and taking prescribed medications as directed. It’s important to report any unusual symptoms or changes in vision to your doctor immediately to ensure the best possible outcome. Additionally, maintaining regular eye exams and practicing good eye health habits can help prevent future complications.

Suitable For

Typically, patients who are recommended retinal detachment surgery are those who have a condition called rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), where the retina detaches from the back of the eye. In this study, young Japanese patients with RRD were recommended surgery to correct this issue. The two types of surgery used were scleral buckling (SB) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), both of which were found to be effective in reattaching the retina and improving vision. However, patients who had PPV surgery had a slightly higher rate of developing issues such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy and cataracts within a year of the surgery compared to those who had SB surgery.

Timeline

  • Before surgery:
  1. Patient experiences symptoms of retinal detachment, such as sudden flashes of light, floaters, or a curtain-like shadow over their field of vision.
  2. Patient seeks medical attention and is diagnosed with retinal detachment through an eye exam.
  3. Patient undergoes pre-operative tests and evaluations to determine the best course of treatment.
  • After surgery:
  1. Patient undergoes either scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy surgery to reattach the detached retina.
  2. Patient may experience some discomfort or blurry vision immediately following the surgery.
  3. Patient is monitored closely by their ophthalmologist for any signs of complications or issues post-surgery.
  4. Patient undergoes follow-up appointments to assess the success of the surgery and monitor any changes in vision.
  5. Patient may experience improvements in vision over time as the retina heals and reattaches.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about retinal detachment surgery include:

  1. What type of surgery do you recommend for my specific case of retinal detachment?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with the recommended surgery?
  3. What is the success rate of the surgery in terms of reattaching the retina and improving vision?
  4. What is the expected recovery time and post-operative care needed?
  5. Are there any long-term effects or complications I should be aware of after the surgery?
  6. How often will I need follow-up appointments after the surgery?
  7. What can I do to optimize my chances of a successful outcome following the surgery?
  8. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures I should consider?
  9. How experienced are you in performing this type of surgery?
  10. Can you provide me with information on the potential costs associated with the surgery and any insurance coverage options available?

Reference

Authors: Shu I, Ishikawa H, Nishikawa H, Morikawa S, Okamoto F, Sakamoto T, Sugimoto M, Kondo M, Iwasaki M, Kinoshita T, Toibana T, Mitamura Y, Takamura Y, Motohashi R, Shimura M, Sakurai Y, Takeuchi M, Gomi F. Journal: Acta Ophthalmol. 2019 Aug;97(5):e736-e741. doi: 10.1111/aos.14050. Epub 2019 Feb 11. PMID: 30741467