Recurrent Retinal Detachment after Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Abstract Background The recurrence of retinal detachment (RD) following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a relatively common complication that threatens vision and needs further surgery. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors and visual outcomes of recurrent RD following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for primary RRD.Methods This was a retrospective follow-up of 343 eyes that underwent initial PPV surgery for primary RRD. Patients were divided into a recurrence group and a reattachment group. The main outcome measures included the causative factors, visual outcomes of RD recurrence, and the perioperative factors most affecting the recurrence of RD.Results After retinal reattachment, we observed recurrence of RD after PPV for primary RRD in 42 out of 343 eyes (12.2%) during the follow-up period. Most recurrence (69%) occurred within 6 months after surgery. Univariate analysis showed that the primary risk factor significantly associated with recurrent RD was the presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) ≥ Grade C ( P = 0.003). Logistic regression analysis showed that a PVR ≥ Grade C (odds ration [OR]: 9.421, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.432 - 56.39; P =0.020) was a significant predictor for the development of recurrent RD. The recurrence of RD resulted in a significant decline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the last follow-up visit compared with the reattachment group ( P =0.000). Eyes with PVR prior to primary surgery or at the diagnosis of re-detachment showed a worse final BCVA.Conclusions The presence of PVR ≥ Grade C was the predominant risk factor for the recurrence of RD. PVR prior to primary surgery, or at the diagnosis of re-detachment, limited the recovery of final visual acuity.