[Bilateral retinal detachment and high myopia: report of nine cases]

Introduction: Bilateral retinal detachments are rare, but their occurrence increases in cases of high myopia. The objective of our research is to study their incidence, management and postoperative results. This is a study of the medical records of nine patients with high myopia and simultaneous or consecutive bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study of the medical records of nine patients (18 eyes), aged 11-38 years old, with high myopia and simultaneous or consecutive bilateral retinal detachment. All had surgery on our medical service between September 1, 2010 and September 1, 2011.

Results: Bilateral retinal detachments represented 4.11% of the total cases operated during this period (219 patients) and 9.17% of the retinal detachments with high myopia (98 patients). The sex ratio is 1 male to 8 females, with an average age of 31 years old. The detachments were simultaneously bilateral for 3 patients. The initial corrected visual acuity varied between 1/40 and 4/10, macular retinoschisis was found in one case, and the breaks found were atrophic holes and horseshoe breaks. Scleral buckling with cryotherapy was performed in all patients, with a primary reattachment rate of 88.8%; and no vitreoretinal surgery was performed. The final visual acuity varied between 1/20 and 6/10.

Conclusion: The incidence of bilateral retinal detachment increases in cases of associated high myopia; it is observed essentially among young patients. Management is difficult because of the risk of associated vitreoretinal proliferation, and the final visual recovery depends on the type of detachment and the degree of myopia. Classical surgery performed correctly and early allows for satisfactory results in most cases.