Purpose: To review the visual and anatomical outcomes of combined anterior and posterior segment surgery for retinal detachment repair.
Methods and patients: Eight patients with combined retinal and corneal disease underwent combined temporary keratoprosthesis with penetrating keratoplasty combined with pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment repair with silicone oil tamponade. Visual and anatomical outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Follow-up ranged from 12 months to 37 months.
Results: Preoperative visual acuity ranged from light perception to hand motion. All but one case had proliferative vitreoretinopathy present at the time of surgery. Postoperative visual acuity ranged from hand motion to light perception. At the most recent follow-up visit, all of the patients had attached retinas, no patients had phthisis bulbi, and all but one patient had a clear cornea. However, 3 of these cases (38%) required repeat retinal detachment repair and one of them also required repeat penetrating keratoplasty, which was performed at the time of retinal repair.
Conclusion: Combined full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty and retinal detachment repair has good anatomical outcomes and is an efficient way to treat complex anterior and posterior segment abnormality. Although postoperative visual function is limited; almost all patients were agreeable to repeat surgery if they were presented with the choice again.