Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the fellow phakic eyes of patients with pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Abstract

To determine the risk and clinical characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) in the fellow phakic eyes of patients with a pseudophakic retinal detachment (PPRD) in one eye. The authors conducted a computer-generated chart review to find 64 consecutive patients with a PPRD in one eye and were phakic in the fellow eye. The clinical information was collected on all patients to investigate the risk and clinical characteristics of RD in the fellow eyes while still phakic. Information was also obtained on the fellow eyes that underwent cataract surgery and developed a PPRD. Sixty-four patients with a PPRD in one eye were phakic in the fellow eye. During an average follow-up of 57.4 months, five (7.8%) fellow eyes developed retinal detachment while still phakic. In addition to the five eyes with a phakic RD, 10 originally phakic fellow eyes underwent cataract surgery. Of these, one (10%) suffered an RD. Fellow eyes of patients with a PPRD have a significant risk of RD even if they do not undergo cataract surgery.