Vitreoretinal complications in Yemeni patients with keratorefractive surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate vitreoretinal complications in patients undergoing laser keratorefractive surgery.


METHODS
This retrospective observational non-comparative clinical study was carried out between June 2005 and March 2008, and included 4691 consecutive laser keratorefractive surgery procedures for 2480 patients performed in the Department of Refractive Surgery, Yemen Magrabi Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen. Patients were followed up for 12-36 months. The preoperative patient evaluation included manifest and cycloplegic refractions, uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and dilated vitreoretinal assessment. Retinal diseases were recorded and analyzed during the preoperative and postoperative care.


RESULTS
Sixty-five (1.4%) of the 4691 eyes had posterior segment pathology requiring intervention. In the preoperative assessment, 57 eyes had prophylactic laser photocoagulation for retinal lesions. Seven eyes developed posterior vitreous detachment postoperatively, and 4 of these required prophylactic laser therapy for lattice degeneration and retinal breaks. Two eyes (0.04%) developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, which occurred spontaneously. One patient developed cystoid macular edema in both eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Most complications are related to the refractive outcome or to corneal and anterior segment injury. Posterior segment complications are rare, but dilated vitreoretinal assessment is important before and after laser keratorefractive procedures. Patients with suspicious retinal lesions need a comprehensive vitreoretinal evaluation by a retinal specialist.
Bamashmus
Mahfouth A
MA
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, PO Box 19576, Sana'a, Yemen. bamashmus@hotmail.com
Al-Salahim
Seddique A
SA
Saleh
Mahmoud F
MF
Awadalla
Mohamed A
MA
Tarish
Nabil A
NA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000473:pathology*; D015006:Yemen