BACKGROUND: Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is used to treat retinal conditions, including retinal detachment, and involves removal of the vitreous gel from the eye. Complications following PPV include raised intraocular pressure (IOP). This retrospective study aimed to compare methods of endotamponade used during 23-gauge PPV and the risk of raised IOP during 24-month follow-up at a single center.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 196 patients (age, 15–86 years; mean, 63.5 years) (196 eyeballs). There were 93 patients (47.45%) with a preoperative history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and 14 patients (7.14%) with a history of myopia. IOP was measured with Goldmann applanation tonometry at one-, three-, six-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up. The outcome was compared following endotamponade with silicone oil, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and balanced salt solution (BSS).

RESULTS: Mean IOP at one-month follow-up was 17.2 mmHg (±3.61 mmHg; range, 9–45 mmHg), and at 24-month follow-up was 17.3 mmHg (±3.23 mmHg; range, 7–30 mmHg). IOP following PPV was significantly associated with the indication for PPV (P=0.023), and the type of endotamponade used (P=0.049). In patients with silicone oil endotamponade, the risk of IOP at 24 months was increased by 2.3 times compared with SF6 or BSS endotamponade. Patients with SF6 endotamponade had a risk of IOP that was 3.3 times lower than for silicone oil tamponade or BSS tamponade.

CONCLUSIONS: Silicone oil endotamponade in PPV was associated with an increased risk of IOP at 24-month follow-up.

Keywords: Glaucoma, Pressure, Retina, Silicone Oils, Adolescent, Aged, 80 and over, Endotamponade, Follow-Up Studies, Intraocular Pressure, Pars Planitis, Poland, Prospective Studies, Retinal Detachment, Retinal Diseases, Risk Factors, Tonometry, Ocular, Vitrectomy, Vitreous Body