7. Floaterectomy – Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Vitreous
Opacities
Peter Senn (Luzern)
Background: Patients suffer from vitreous opacities, despite good visual acuity. The lack of
objective measurements may make it difficult to justify the indication for (expensive and potentially
dangerous?) vitreous surgery.
Patients and Methods: We analyzed retrospectively the outcome of 90 eyes /67 patients, age
20 – 86 years (mean 60 ±19) after pars plana vitrectomy (ppv) for vitreous opacities. Followup
was 6 – 40 months (mean 19, ±9). Additional pathologies (except cataract) possibly affecting
the functional outcome were present in 33 % (uveitis 8 %, premacular membrane 10 %,
other 15 %). The technique consisted of a standard 3-port vitrectomy (44 % 25g, 46 % 20g).
In 78 % ppv was combined with phakoemulsification + IOL implantation.
Results: Mean preop visual acuity was 0.6, postop 1.0 (+2.3 lines, p>0.0001). One eye lost 2 lines. Peripheral retinal tears
occurred in 11 %. Longterm complications (12 – 25 months) consisted of premacular membrane formation (1), luxation of
the IOL/capsular bag. Secundary interventions were YAG-capsulotomy (3) and glaucoma surgery (1). 94 % of all patients
(98 % if additional pathologies were excluded) were satisfied with the outcome.
Conclusions: Pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous opacities is safe and effective. Careful patient selection is important.