Relaxing retinotomies and retinectomies. Surgical results and predictors of visual outcome
D. P. Han, M. T. Lewis, E. M. Kuhn, G. W. Abrams, W. F. Mieler, G. A. Williams and T. M. Aaberg
Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Functional and anatomic success after relaxing retinotomy may be limited by
recurrent retinal detachment or severe hypotony. Fifty-four consecutive
eyes undergoing relaxing retinotomy for proliferative vitreoretinopathy (42
eyes) and trauma (12 eyes) were analyzed to determine whether perioperative
factors, including size and location of the retinotomy, influenced visual
or anatomic outcome. After 6 months' minimum follow-up, anatomic success
(retina attached posterior to buckle and an intraocular pressure of 3 mm Hg
or more) was achieved in 35 eyes (64%). Functional success (visual acuity
of 5/200 or better) was achieved in 14 eyes (26%). Factors predicting
functional success by stepwise logistic regression analysis included a
preoperative visual acuity of hand motions or better and location of the
retinotomy in the superior four clock hours of the fundus. Causes of
anatomic failure included proliferative vitreoretinopathy (11 eyes) and
severe hypotony or phthisis (8 eyes). Superior location of the retinotomy
and visual acuity of hand motions or better favorably influenced visual
outcome after relaxing retinotomy.
