Background: The goal of this study was to identify risk factors for redetachment and to assess long-term anatomic and functional results of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears (GRT).
Subjects and methods: In a retrospective study the authors analyzed 30 eyes which were operated with PPV for GRT retinal detachment in their clinic between March 1998 and August 2003.
Results: Redetachment rate after one vitrectomy procedure in this series of 30 eyes was 30% (n = 9), and ultimately, the retina was attached in 29 (96.7%) eyes. After multivariate analysis the absence of an encircling scleral buckle (P = 0.008) was significantly associated with redetachment. Visual acuity improved in 54% of the eyes.
Conclusion: Vitrectomy with an encircling scleral buckle seems to be a preferred treatment for complicated retinal detachments due to GRT.