Abstract
To evaluate etiologies, management, and outcomes for patients with giant retinal tears undergoing initial surgery at a single institution.
Noncomparative, retrospective, consecutive case series at a university referral center including 79 eyes of 77 patients.
Blunt trauma constituted 22% of cases. All patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy with gas or silicone oil tamponade. Eighty-five percent (67 eyes) underwent an encircling scleral buckle. Perfluorocarbon liquids were used in 71% (61 eyes). Eighteen percent (14 eyes) underwent re-operation for recurrent retinal detachment. Ninety-two percent (73 eyes) achieved anatomic success with one or more surgical procedures. Visual acuity at last follow-up was at least 20/400 in 84.9% of patients (28 of 33) with 3 clock hours compared to 65.2% (30 of 46) with tears greater than 3 clock hours.
Patients with giant retinal tear undergoing surgery achieved high rates of anatomic success, but re-operations were frequent. Better visual outcomes were associated with smaller circumferential dimensions in the giant retinal tears.
