23-gauge vitrectomy assisted by combined endoscopy and a wide-angle viewing system for retinal detachment with severe penetrating corneal injury: a case report

BACKGROUND We report a case of traumatic retinal detachment in an eye with severe corneal opacity that was successfully treated using 23 gauge (G) transconjunctival vitrectomy assisted by endoscope and a wide-angle viewing system. CASE PRESENTATION A 22-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital with the suspicion of traumatic retinal detachment of the right eye, 1 month after an open globe eye injury due to fireworks. At the time of his first visit, his best-corrected visual acuity was hand motion in the right eye. A 23 G three port pars plana vitrectomy was conducted in combination with ophthalmic endoscope and a wide-angle viewing system. Endoscopy revealed a retinal detachment in the inferior quadrant with tiny retinal breaks. Primary reattachment of the retina was achieved by tamponade of SF₆ gas. Five months after the vitrectomy, penetrating keratoplasty was performed and visual acuity recovered to 0.02. Optical coherent tomography revealed thinning of the retina, which might be the cause of the remaining poor vision. CONCLUSION 23 G vitrectomy assisted by combined endoscopy and a wide-angle viewing system could be advantageous in managing visualization constraints due to penetrating trauma.