Management of Retinal Detachment According to Risk Factors

Abstract

Retinal detachment is a sight threatening and potentially blindening condition which if treated promptly can save and salvage good vision. On the other hand, in spite of prompt and timely surgery sometimes the visual outcome is not up to our expectations. These things pose a problem especially in our society where economics play a major role. There is very limited medical insurance for private sector and public sector is inundated with huge numbers. The number of VR surgeons is certainly insufficient to cope with the amount of patients and there is an obvious and dire need for more facilities to perform these surgeries. In this scenario we need to have some basis upon which we can build our decisions and expectations so that our system becomes more efficient with best possible results. There have been two good efforts recently in the form of studies done in Pakistan, the first one to find out about the Risk factors for developing PVR which eventually will predict the surgical outcome and the second about different presentations, their management and results. These efforts are extremely useful and give the idea of what kind of patients we are dealing with and at the same time some insight into our surgical management. They have shown for example that a retinal detachment of 1 month duration is a very significant landmark as a prognostic factor for PVR. On the other hand there are some concepts which require special attention. I would like to try and clarify some points from one of the studies which otherwise may create some confusion for others.