PURPOSE: To estimate the incidence of sclerotomy-related retinal breaks (SRRBs) and identify possible associated risk factors. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) from January 1994 to January 1999 at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were reviewed. The diagnosis, procedure, and possible associated risk factors were documented, in addition to the presence of SRRBs and time of discovery. RESULTS: Of the 441 eyes, 3.1% developed early SRRBs, while 2.9% of 350 eyes developed late SRRBs. Most of the eyes that developed SRRBs were phakic, and penetrating trauma was found statistically to increase the risk of SRRBs. CONCLUSIONS: SRRBs are an uncommon complication of PPV. Early detection and proper management can prevent serious sequelae of such complications.
PURPOSE: To estimate the incidence of sclerotomy-related retinal breaks (SRRBs) and identify possible associated risk factors. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) from January 1994 to January 1999 at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were reviewed. The diagnosis, procedure, and possible associated risk factors were documented, in addition to the presence of SRRBs and time of discovery. RESULTS: Of the 441 eyes, 3.1% developed early SRRBs, while 2.9% of 350 eyes developed late SRRBs. Most of the eyes that developed SRRBs were phakic, and penetrating trauma was found statistically to increase the risk of SRRBs. CONCLUSIONS: SRRBs are an uncommon complication of PPV. Early detection and proper management can prevent serious sequelae of such complications.