Pneumatic retinopexy: results in eyes with classic vs relative indications.

OBJECTIVE To compare the results of pneumatic retinopexy in 3 groups of eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS In this retrospective, consecutive study, 44 eyes of 44 patients who underwent pneumatic retinopexy were divided into 3 groups: eyes with vitreoretinal abnormalities (group A), pseudopakic or aphakic eyes (group B), and phakic eyes without vitreoretinal abnormalities (group C). RESULTS Single retinopexy success was achieved in 10 (71%) of 14 eyes in group A, 7 (64%) of 11 eyes in group B, and 16 (84%) of 19 eyes in group C (P=.42). Final success after reoperation was achieved in 13 (93%) of 14 eyes in group A, 10 (91%) of 11 eyes in group B, and in all 19 eyes in group C (P=.44). In group B, the rate of single retinopexy success using cryotherapy was significantly higher (5/5; 100%) than when laser photocoagulation was used (1/5; 20%) (P=.015). The final visual outcome obtained in the 3 groups was similar. There were no significant intergroup differences in either early or late complications. CONCLUSIONS The best results were achieved in eyes with classic indications for pneumatic retinopexy, though the differences between these results and those in the nonclassic indications were not significant. In pseudophakic or aphakic eyes, the rate of single operation success after cryopexy was significantly higher than the rate after laser photocoagulation.