Pneumatic Retinopexy in Patients with Traditional and Nontraditional Selection Criteria

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of pneumatic retinopexy in patients with traditional and nontraditional selection criteria.

Methods: A descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study was carried out with patients operated on for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at the Villa Clara Ophthalmologic Center between 2020 and 2024.

Results: The primary anatomical success and functional outcome rates were 77.1 % and 92.6 % in patients with traditional criteria and 88.2 % and 93.3 % in patients with non-traditional criteria, without significant differences between both groups (p = 0.35; p = 0.74, respectively). Best corrected visual acuity (logMAR) at six months was 0.36 ± 0.22 (20/55 Snellen equivalent) and 0.34 ± 0.23 (20/58 Snellen equivalent) respectively, with significant improvement (p < 0.05) in both groups, with no difference between them (p = 0.76). The average gain was 0.43 ± 0.17 (20/46 Snellen equivalent) and 0.42 ± 0.2 (20/47 Snellen equivalent) with no significant differences (p = 0.89). The rates of complications, residual subretinal fluid and reinterventions were favorable in both groups, for 22.9 %; 33.3 %; 3.7 %, and 29.4 %; 6.7 % and 13.3 %, respectively (p = 0.78; p < 0.005; p = 0.28). The mean age of patients with residual subretinal fluid according to the overall analysis was 64.6 years, resorbing on average at 54.9 days without the need for treatment.

Conclusions: Pneumatic retinopexy is effective and a good option for treating uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. A reasonable and objective extension of the selection criteria increases eligibility, allows treatment to a larger number of patients, with good anatomical and functional results.