Clinical survey of the forms, number and localization of retinal tears in cases of relapses and recurrences in retinal detachment.

This study deals with the clinical observations of the different forms and shapes of retinal tears, their number and localizations in cases of relapses and recurrences in retinal detachement surgery. Two groups of patients were considered, the first belongs to our own centre and the second to referred patient operated in other hospitals. 45.1% of both groups account for relapses. We find 7.35% of undetected retinal breaks. The greater number of tears are mainly distributed in the temporal quandrants. The most common shapes of breaks are the punched-out hole, fingernail-tip-like tears, small and medium horseshoe tears, oval and 'pebbled'-like (cluster of microholes) holes. Approximately 25% of the breaks were seen in areas where thermotherapy had not been applied and 15% of them were found beside most probably overtreated areas.