Retinal detachment treated by pneumatic retinopexy.

Pneumatic retinopexy has been employed for the treatment of uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 12 patients, with retinal tear(s) situated between 8 and 4 o'clock. The operations were performed using transconjunctival cryothermy and intravitreal gas-injection of sulphurhexafluoride or perfluoropropane. All patients were followed for more than 6 months. Retinal attachment was achieved in 10 patients following the first surgical procedure. The post-operative visual acuity was 6/12 or better in 8 patients, a further 2 patients had visual acuity of 6/36 or better. Pneumatic retinopexy was found to be an efficient and simple operative procedure for selected cases of retinal detachment, with results comparable to conventional operative procedures.