[Clinical characteristics and therapeutic challenges of retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes].

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic challenges of retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 83 eyes in 79 patients with high myopia (> 6.00 diopters or axial length > or = 26.00 mm) who underwent surgery for retinal detachment between 2001 and 2008. The surgical approaches depended on the type and location of the retinal break, the degree of myopia, and the grade of PVR.

Results: The mean age of patients (48 men and 31 women) was 53.9 years. Refractive error ranged from - 10 D to - 25 D (mean was - 14.0 D). The mean follow-up was 19.4 months. Peripheral or equatorial retinal tears were present in 52 cases (62.6%), a macular hole in 14 cases (16.8%), a giant retinal tear in 6 cases (7.2%), and posterior paravascular retinal tears in 11 cases (13.2%). Single-surgery anatomic success was achieved in 65 cases (78.3%), with 17 cases after scleral buckle surgery and 46 cases after pars plana vitrectomy. Final anatomic success was achieved in 76 cases (91.5%). Per and postoperative hemorrhagic complications occurred in 16 cases (19.2%).

Conclusion: Retinal detachment is a serious complication of high myopia. It often occurs in young patients. Treatment is difficult due to anatomical and clinical conditions.