Purpose:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 23 gauge pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Methods:

60 eyes of 60 patients with pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who were operated by 23 gauge pars plana vitrectomy in our clinic from February 2006 to September 2008 were included in this retrospective study. Exclusion criterias from the study were history of prior vitrectomy or surgery for retinal detachment. The preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure measurements with Goldmann applanation tonometry were evaluated with statisically. Anatomic success rate, intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.

Results:

Mean age of patients was 57.35 ± 14.26 years (17-72 years) and mean follow up time was 11.2 ± 3.8 months (6-23 months). The retina was reattached successfully after a single surgery in 46 eyes (76.7%). Final anatomic success rate was 90% after subsequent operations. Functional success rate was 60% after a single surgery. Final functional success rate was 75% after subsequent operations. The most common intraoperative complication was subconjunctival hemorrhage (15%). The most common early postoperative complication was postoperative 1. day hypotony (20%). The most common late postoperative complication was development of epiretinal membrane (18.3%).

Conclusions:

We believe that 23 gauge pars plana vitrectomy is an effective and safe surgical technique with favorable complications in the management of pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Keywords: Pseudophakic, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, 23 gauge pars plana vitrectomy