Outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background: Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is performed as a standard of care in central hospitals in South Africa. Clinical outcomes of such a procedure need to be reported on regularly. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the visual acuity and anatomical outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at a central academic hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Setting: Pars plana vitrectomy surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a central hospital in South Africa. Methods: Retrospective case series of patients who had PPV for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital during the 5-year period from 01 January 2010 to 31 December 2014. Results: Ninety-nine patients with rhegmatogenous detachment, comprising 62% men and 38% women, were included in the study. The mean age (± standard deviation) was 48 (±18.4) years. The most common cause of rhegmatogenous detachment was trauma followed by cataract surgery, accounting for 37% and 21% of all causes, respectively. Sixty-three percent of these detachments involved the macula at the time of presentation, and 58% had proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Eighty-three eyes (84%) obtained vision improvement or stabilisation and retinal attachment. Forty eyes (40%) had visual acuity improvement, and 43 eyes (43%) retained the same vision. Successful anatomical reattachment of the retina was obtained in 93% ( n = 92) of eyes, including those that needed a repeat surgery. Conclusion: This study found that the majority of patients whose files were reviewed benefited from surgical intervention for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in terms of stabilisation or improvement of vision.