Treatment of vitreoretinal disorders in the developing world: indications and outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery in Nepal.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for retinal disorders at Tilganga Eye Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal.


METHODS
Retrospective noncomparative case series.


METHODS
Records of 255 patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery from December 2000 to January 2003 were reviewed.


METHODS
Demographics, diagnoses, duration of symptoms, vision, and examination findings were noted before and after vitreoretinal surgery.


METHODS
Postoperative data were categorized by surgery type and analyzed by anatomic success, symptoms, and visual acuity (VA).


RESULTS
Sixteen percent of patients had >6/60 vision preoperatively, and the mean duration of vision loss before presentation was 4.9 months. Major indications for surgery were retinal detachment (RD) (75%) and vitreous hemorrhage (19%). Anatomic success was achieved in 74.5% of patients. Postoperatively, 39% of patients experienced improved VA, with 33% obtaining >6/60 vision.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite prolonged duration of vision loss at presentation, vitreoretinal surgery in the developing world can restore useful vision in many patients with RD and vitreous hemorrhage.
Paudyal
Govinda
G
Tilganga Eye Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Doshi
Vatsal
V
Shrestha
Mohan Krishna
MK
Kalayoglu
Murat V
MV
Tabin
Geoffrey
G
Gurung
Rita
R
Shrestha
Bhakta
B
Ruit
Sanduk
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003452:Cryosurgery; D003906:Developing Countries; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012591:Scleral Buckling; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*
D005466:Fluorocarbons; D012827:Silicone Oils