Frequency, characteristics, and risk factors of late recurrence of retinal detachment.

PURPOSE To evaluate the frequency, characteristics, causes, and risk factors of late recurrent retinal detachments (LRRD). METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed 445 eyes operated consecutively for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment between 1990 and 2003 by the same surgeon. Only eyes with complete reattachment after a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included. The authors defined LRRD as detachment occurring at least 6 months after a complete retinal reattachment. RESULTS Nine eyes had a LRRD (2.02%). Mean age was 52.55 years. Six eyes had scleral buckle procedure and three eyes had vitrectomy silicone oil injection then silicone oil removal. LRRD occurred after an average period of 54 months. During follow-up two patients had a removal of extrusion of scleral buckling material. New or reopened breaks were associated with LRRD in all eyes. Endo-ocular surgery was carried out in seven eyes. The retinal reattachment was achieved in the seven eyes. Final visual acuity ranged from 20/400 to 20/60 after an average follow-up of 37.8 months. Relation between aphakic eyes (and more generally nonphakic eyes) and LRRD was close to significant value (p=0.05). LRRD was statistically independent (p>0.05) of myopia, preoperative pseudophakia, vitrectomy for initial detachment, scleral buckle removal, and cataract surgery after reattachment. CONCLUSIONS LRRD were rare. Most of them were due to a retinal break. This break can be a new break, or reopened break especially after removal of scleral buckle material. Vitreous traction, at the vitreous base, seemed to be the cause of these breaks.