Decompression retinopathy, a complication of ocular surgery

Abstract

Decompression retinopathy is an infrequent complication of ocular surgery. Most cases have been reported after trabeculectomy with or without antimetabolites, but it has also been described in other ocular procedures. High preoperative intraocular pressure and its sudden intra- and postoperative variations play a role in its physiopathology. Retinal hemorrhage is its distinguishing sign, and central retinal vein occlusion its most complex differential diagnosis. In most patients the clinical picture is resolved within the first eight weeks without any therapeutic intervention. A gradual, controlled reduction in pre- and intraoperative intraocular pressure is recommended to minimize risk. With the purpose of updating knowledge about decompression retinopathy, a review was conducted of the most relevant studies about the topic published in recent years. Key words: Retinopathy; decompression; intraocular surgery; glaucoma.