Anatomical outcome and visual recovery after pneumatic retinopexy: Analysis of predictive factors in a cohort including non-standard criteria.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Pneumatic retinopexy is a treatment for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with standard selection criteria. There is growing interest in evaluating its outcomes in broader clinical profiles. This study aimed to evaluate anatomical outcomes and visual recovery after pneumatic retinopexy in a cohort including non-standard criteria, and to identify independent predictive factors for anatomical failure and reduced visual recovery.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A prospective cohort study of 92 eyes (92 patients), stratified into standard (n = 57) and non-standard (n = 35) criteria. Over 12 months of follow-up, primary reattachment survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and predictive factors were analyzed with multivariate regression models.

RESULTS

The primary anatomical success rate was 82.5% in the standard criteria group and 85.7% in the non-standard group (P = .777), with a cumulative survival at 12 months >95% in both groups (log-rank, P = .754). Final anatomical success exceeded 97%. Final best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly (P < .001) with no differences between groups (P = .343). Greater detachment extent was an independent predictor of anatomical failure in multivariate model (OR = 3.23 per additional quadrant; P = .044). Longer detachment duration (β = 0.021 logMAR/day; P < .001) and older age (β = 0.006 logMAR/year; P < .001) were independent predictors of reduced visual recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumatic retinopexy suggests a high survival rate of primary retinal reattachment and provides significant visual improvement in patients meeting both standard and non-standard criteria. Detachment extent, symptom duration, and age are key independent predictive factors for optimizing candidate selection and anticipating functional outcomes.