Purpose: To assess the safety and reliability of pneumatic retinopexy.

Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 16 eyes of 16 patients (6 female, 10 male, mean age 59.3 years) who underwent pneumatic retinopexy in our clinic between the years of 2001 and 2005. All eyes had a retinal tear that was located between the retina quadrants of 10 and 2 clock hours without any active vitreoretinal traction. Cryopexy the was applied to the retinal tear initially, and a pure C3F8 gas was injected intravitreally under local anesthesia in operating room. Argon laser was performed around the retinal tear and peripheral retina starting from the postoperative 1st day. Baseline and final values of visual acuity and intraocular pressure were compared. Pars plana vitrectomy in 2 eyes with failed pneumatic retinopexy resulted in full anatomic success (13%).

Results: There were 4 eyes with macula-off at baseline (25%). Success rate of retinal attachment with sole pneumatic retinopexy was 86% (14 out of 16 eyes). The average followup time was 18.2 months (range, 5-32 months). Mean visual acuity improved from (±SD) 0.78±0.7 (logMAR) to 0.2±0.2 (Wilcoxon, P=0.001). Mean intraocular pressure was 11.1±1.8 mmHg at baseline and 16.4±1.0 mmHg at the last follow-up (Wilcoxon, P<0.001). No endophthalmitis, vitreous hemorrhage, subretinal gas, proliferative vitreoretinopathy or development of significant lens opacity was noted in any eye.

Conclusion: Pneumatic retinopexy is a reliable and effective treatment option for selective retinal detachment cases.