Proliferative vitreoretinopathy: a natural history of the fellow eye.
OBJECTIVE
To determine how often the fellow eyes of patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) harbor a vision-threatening condition at presentation; to determine how often the fellow eyes of patients with PVR develop vision-threatening conditions; and to determine how often the fellow eyes of patients with PVR lose vision.


METHODS
A retrospective case review design was used.


METHODS
Two hundred and forty-nine patients with PVR were studied.


METHODS
The authors observed the fellow eye of eyes with PVR for vision-threatening pathology.


METHODS
The primary anatomic endpoint of this study was the detection of vision-threatening pathology in the fellow eye of patients with PVR. Secondary outcome measures included the development of visual loss in the fellow eye.


RESULTS
A wide variety of vision-threatening conditions were diagnosed in the fellow eyes of patients with PVR. Of patients meeting entry criteria with reliable follow-up data, greater than 50% of fellow eyes demonstrated vision-threatening pathology at some point during follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who develop PVR in one eye are at considerable risk for developing vision-threatening pathology or vision-damaging conditions in the fellow eye. This information should be carefully considered when making surgical decisions in patients facing PVR surgery.
Schwartz
S D
SD
Jules Stein Eye Institute, Retina Division, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Kreiger
A E
AE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology