Pneumatic retinopexy

Abstract

Pneumatic retinopexy (PR) is a method for treating rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD) arising from superior retinal breaks. The procedure combines laser or retinal cryopexy with intravitreal air or gas tamponade. A review of published results from 1986 to 2007 showed that pneumatic retinopexy has similar final reattachment rates as other primary options for treating rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (Chan et al., Surv Ophthalmol 53(5):443–478, 2008). The rates of postoperative complications can be lower with PR than with scleral buckle (SB) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) (Holz et al., Br J Ophthalmol 87(6): 787–789, 2003). The use of pure air has the same success rate as expansile gases, with the advantage of short duration and more rapid recovery. Indications for pneumatic retinopexy continue to expand as the techniques for pneumatic retinopexy are improved.