Changing Trends in Surgery for Retinal Detachment in Korea

PURPOSE To analyze trends in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery among the members of the Korean Retina Society from 2001 to 2013. METHODS In 2013, surveys were conducted by email and post to investigate the current practice patterns regarding RRD treatment. Questions included how surgeons would manage six cases of hypothetical RRD. Results were compared to those reported in 2001. RESULTS A total of 133 members (60.7%) in 2013 and 46 members(79.3%) in 2001 responded to the survey. Preference for pneumatic retinopexy has decreased in uncomplicated primary RRD (p = 0.004). More respondents in 2013 selected vitrectomy as the primary procedure when mild vitreous hemorrhage (p = 0.001), myopia (p = 0.044) and history of successful scleral buckling on the fellow eye (p = 0.044) were added to the primary scenario. Vitrectomy was over twice as popular in cases of pseudophakic, macula-off RRD with posterior capsular opacity (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS For RRD with myopia, pseudophakia and media opacity, surgical interventions over the last decade have drastically shifted from scleral buckling and pneumatic retinopexy to vitrectomy.