A predictive model for visual recovery following retinal detachment surgery.

By multiple regression analysis we have identified 26 out of 200 observations which significantly affect the visual acuity following retinal detachment surgery. In addition, we have developed a highly significant mathematical model, which is able to predict in rather broad ranges of visual acuity to approximately 67% accuracy. There is still a large percentage of patients for whom we cannot account for the variability in final vision, a problem requiring future investigation. Potentially important factors which were not analyzed in this study include duration of macular detachment, afferent pupil defect, drainage of subretinal fluid, extent of the scleral-buckling procedure, and postoperative follow-up longer than six months. While most of the variables are fixed and cannot be alterd, such as age, senile cataract, and refractive error, improved knowledge of influential factors may allow us to manipulate some of them and provide mechanisms for improving results in recovery or maintenance of macular function after retinal detachment surgery.