Outcome of pars plana vitrectomy in patients with retinal detachments secondary to retinal vasculitis

PURPOSE: Retinal detachments (RD) secondary to retinal vasculitis are highly complex. We report the clinical profile and outcome of vitrectomy in RDs secondary to retinal vasculitis in terms of intraoperative findings, final anatomical, and functional outcome. METHODS: In a retrospective review of 68 patients (6 with bilateral RD; 74 eyes) undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) between 2000 and 2015 for vasculitic RD, tractional RD was present in 50 (67.57%) eyes and combined RD in 24 (32.43%) eyes. RESULTS: The mean age was 31.54 ± 9.95 years (62 males, 6 females). Fibrovascular proliferations (FVPs) involved major vascular arcades (22.98%), optic disc (10.81%), both arcades and disc (20.27%), peripheral retina (32.43%), and arcades with peripheral retina (13.51%). A total of 14 (18.92%) eyes had retinal folds, of which 9 had macular drag. Of 24 eyes with combined RD, 3 (12.5%) eyes had macular hole, 15 (62.5%) eyes had the primary retinal break anterior to equator, and 6 (25%) eyes had the primary break posterior to equator. Twenty-one (28.38%) eyes had iatrogenic retinal breaks. Thirty-eight (51.35%) eyes required an internal tamponade [gas in 31 (81.57%) eyes and silicon oil in seven (18.42%) eyes]. A scleral buckle was additionally required in 26 (35.14%) eyes. Postoperative complications included vitreous hemorrhage (27.03%), re-RD (12.16%), and iris neovascularization (9.46%). The median follow-up was 18 months (range 6-122 months). Sixty-eight (91.9%) eyes achieved final anatomical success. Fifty-two (70.27%) eyes had ≥2 lines visual improvement. CONCLUSION: Vasculitic RDs are complicated by tractional/combined RDs, peripherally located FVPs, retinal folds and iatrogenic retinal breaks, and carry a moderate prognosis.