Spontaneous reattachment of the retina despite proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

In six cases of spontaneous retinal reattachment despite severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy, the retina was initially attached after a buckling procedure or vitreous surgery for proliferative vitreoretinopathy. However, each retina suddenly detached several weeks later. Surprisingly, the retinas settled slowly during the following weeks without further treatment. One case was marked by repeated episodes of detachment and reattachment. In none of the cases could an open retinal break be detected. In certain cases of proliferative vitreoretinopathy in which no open break is apparent and the detachment appears to be tractional, an observation period of several weeks may allow the retina to reattach spontaneously without further surgery.