Zdravniški Vestnik (Nov 2002)
VITREORETINAL SURGERY AND ITS INDICATIONS
Abstract
Background. Vitreoretinal surgery is the second most frequent surgery after cataract extraction. It is indicated in the treatment of various vitreous and retinal disorders such as diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, endophthalmitis, penetrating and perforating injuries of the eye. 400 vitreoretinal operations were done in University Eye Clinic in Ljubljana last year which is three times more like years ago. Almost third of all vitreoretinal operations were done on patients with diabetic retinopathy, 22% on patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy, 10% on traumatic eyes and 14% were reoperations. Remaining 28% of operations were done on eyes with different diagnoses such as macular diseases, retinal detachment, haematovitreus, endophthalmitis and dropped nucleus.During vitrectomy, vitreous opacities are excised and abnormal structural changes above and beneath the retina can be removed. Depending on the type of retinal disease different types of vitreous cavity tamponade such as silicone oil, gas or intraocular saline are used.Conclusions. Improved knowledge of the pathohistology of abnormal vitreoretinal structural changes and new surgical techniques have resulted in improved anatomical and visual results of vitreoretinal surgery. The list of indications has expanded and some macular diseases which were untreatable a few years ago can now be routinely operated with good results.
