Vitrectomy Following Pneumatic Retinopexy for Retinal Detachment: Indications and Outcomes

Purpose: To examine the rate and outcomes of secondary vitrectomies following pneumatic retinopexy for indications other than recurrent retinal detachment (RD). Methods: This was a retrospective consecutive case series reviewing the period from 2010 to 2020. Patients were included if they required a secondary vitrectomy after a successful pneumatic retinopexy for any indication, excluding recurrent RD. Indication and time between pneumatic retinopexy and secondary vitrectomy were the primary outcome measures. Results: A total of 296 eyes that underwent pneumatic retinopexy for primary RD repair were included in the study. Six eyes underwent secondary vitrectomy after successful pneumatic retinopexy. Indications for vitrectomy included 2 eyes with epiretinal membrane (0.7%), 1 eye with full-thickness macular hole (0.3%), and 3 eyes with vitreous opacities (1.0%). The mean (±SD) time to vitrectomy was 6 ± 5.7 months for epiretinal membrane, 22 ± 2.1 months for vitreous opacities, and 10 months for macular hole. Conclusions: Following pneumatic retinopexy for RD repair, 2% of eyes required vitrectomy for indications other than recurrent RD. Time to secondary vitrectomy varied among the indications. Patients should be counseled appropriately for the possibility of a secondary vitrectomy following a successful pneumatic retinopexy.