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Laserpexy, cryopexy similarly suitable for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
Arch Ophthalmol. 2010;128(12):1519-1522.
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Scleral buckle surgery with intraoperative cryotherapy or postoperative laser photocoagulation yielded comparable long-term visual outcomes in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, a study found.
"The results of this study suggest that in patients with uncomplicated retinal detachment, both techniques of retinopexy provide satisfactory anatomical and functional success," the study authors said. "However, laserpexy offers a faster visual acuity recuperation with fewer postoperative complications but requires a second intervention and costs more than cryotherapy."
The prospective, randomized clinical trial included 86 eyes, of which 43 eyes underwent laserpexy and 43 eyes underwent cryopexy. The primary outcome was rate of retinal re-attachment 1 week after surgery. Investigators also assessed re-attachment at 1 month and 6 months, as well as best corrected visual acuity, re-treatment rates and complications.
Anatomic success rates at 1 week were 93% in the cryopexy group and 95% in the laserpexy group. Both groups had 100% success rates at 1 month and 6 months, according to the study.
Laserpexy offered more rapid visual recovery than cryopexy, the authors noted. Slower visual recovery in the cryopexy group may have stemmed from postoperative inflammation, they said.
Re-treatment was required in three patients in the cryopexy group and two patients in the laserpexy group.
Both procedures yielded similar visual acuity at 6 months, the authors reported.