Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results and effectiveness of the intraoperative subretinal dual dye-assisted technique in patients treated in our clinic for recurrent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), where small hidden retinal tears could not be detected before or during surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 11 patients who underwent surgery in our clinic for recurrent RRD and in whom no retinal tears were detected during either preoperative or intraoperative examinations. Data from patients who underwent surgery using the modified subretinal MembraneBlue-Dual(®) (trypan blue 0.15% + Brilliant Blue G 0.025% + PEG 4%) dye method applied with a 41-gauge cannula were examined. Postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: In 38.4% of patients, retinal tears were located at the posterior edge of a previous laser retinopexy scar. Dye leakage was seen from the edge of a previously lasered retinal tear in 30.7% and from a new tear in 30.7%. At 1-year follow-up, anatomical success and permanent retinal reattachment were achieved in all of the patients. At postoperative 1 year, best corrected visual acuity had increased from 2.0±0.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) to 0.7±0.1 logMAR. CONCLUSION: Occult small retinal tears that are undetectable in recurrent RRD can be successfully identified using the subretinal dye-assisted technique.