Combined pars plana vitrectomy with phacoemulsification for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair

PURPOSE: To investigate the outcome after combined phaco-vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included all patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for RRD between January 2013 and December 2017. The main outcome measure was the retinal re-detachment rate after combined phaco-vitrectomy. RESULTS: Overall, 1017 eyes with RRD were included. All eyes received PPV, while in 516 eyes additional phacoemulsification was performed. A retinal re-detachment occurred in 103 patients (10.1%). No significant difference in the rate of re-detachment was found if additional phacoemulsification was performed (p=0.641). Subgroup calculations showed a significant higher rate of re-detachment in patients with a PVR (p=0.0003) and in patients where silicone oil was used as primary tamponade (p=0.0001) as well as in macula off RRDs (p=0.034). CONCLUSION: Additional phacoemulsification during vitrectomy for RRD is not associated with higher rate of retinal re-detachment.