Indications and visual outcome of first hundred pars plana vitrectomies at Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To review the indications and visual outcome of the first one hundred pars plana vitrectomies performed at the newly established surgical retina unit of Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Aretrospective chart review was performed. Data recorded from the patient chart include demography, pre and postoperative visual acuity, indication for surgery and associated systemic or ocular co-morbidities of first hundred consecutive patients, who underwent pars plana vitrectomy between March 2012 and January 2013.

Result: One hundred eyes of 97 patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy including 75 (77%) males and 22 (23%) females with a mean age of 45.62 ± 16.1 years. Preoperatively, presenting visual acuity in the affected eye was <3/60 in 80 eyes (80%), while that in the contralateral eye was <3/60 in 24 eyes (24%). Postoperatively, 41 eyes (41%) had unaided visual acuity of <3/60. The most common indications for surgery were rhegmatogenous retinal detachment 49 eyes (51%) and vitreous hemorrhage 20 eyes (21%).

Conclusion: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage are the major indications for pars plana vitrectomy in this environment. As vitreoretinal disorders have become more common in this part of the world, there would be a corresponding increase in demand for vitreoretinal services. There is therefore a need for more eye care providers with sub-specialty training in retinal diseases.

Keywords: Pars plana, retinal detachment, vision, vitrectomy