Vitrectomy combined with periocular/intravitreal injection of steroids for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment.

Purpose: To study the anatomical outcome of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with choroidal detachment after pars plana vitrectomy with periocular/intravitreal injection of steroids.

Methods: Seventy-seven eyes that have rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with choroidal detachment were treated by pars plana vitrectomy with oral prednisolone (Group A) or periocular/intravitreal injection of steroids (Group B) and then divided into 5 subgroups according to different intraocular tamponade agents; Group A1: oral steroids and silicone oil, Group A2: oral steroids and C(3)F(8), Group B1: periocular/intravitreal steroid injections and silicone oil, Group B2: periocular steroid injection and silicone oil, and Group B3: periocular steroid injection and C(3)F(8). Anatomical reattachment of the retina was measured at 12 months after surgery.

Results: There was no significant difference in retinal reattachment rate between eyes in Group A and eyes in Group B (77.4% vs. 73.9%, P = 0.726). The retinal reattachment rates were 83.3% in Group A1, 69.2% in Group A2, 82.4% in Group B1, 73.3% in Group B2, and 64.3% in Group B3. There was no statistical difference in the retinal reattachment rates between any of the groups.

Conclusion: For the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with choroidal detachment, pars plana vitrectomy with periocular/intravitreal corticosteroids was comparable in reattachment rate to pars plana vitrectomy with systemic steroids, suggesting an acceptable alternative for patients with this condition who cannot tolerate systemic steroids.