Retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy: surgical results with scleral buckling, closed vitrectomy, and intravitreous air injection.

Seventy-five cases of total retinal detachment complicated by the more advanced grades (grades C and D) of proliferative vitreoretinopathy were treated with scleral buckling, vitrectomy, and air-fluid exchange. The overall reattachment rate was 56%, ranging from 100% in grade C-1 to 26% in grade D-3. The postoperative visual acuity was 6/120 or better in 48% of the 42 eyes in which the retina was reattached. The major causes of surgical failure were redetachment from persistent vitreoretinal traction (32%) and intraoperative complications (12%).