Proliferative vitreoretinopathy

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy
Synonyms	PVR
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Vision loss, retinal detachment
Complications	Blindness, retinal detachment
Onset	After retinal detachment surgery
Duration	Chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Retinal detachment, eye trauma, intraocular inflammation
Risks	Previous retinal detachment, eye surgery, intraocular inflammation
Diagnosis	Ophthalmic examination, ultrasound, optical coherence tomography
Differential diagnosis	Retinal detachment, macular pucker
Prevention	Careful surgical technique, anti-inflammatory medication
Treatment	Vitrectomy, membrane peeling, retinal reattachment surgery
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, often poor if untreated
Frequency	Occurs in 5-10% of retinal detachment surgery cases
Deaths	N/A

Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a complication that can occur after retinal detachment surgery. It is characterized by the growth of cells and scar tissue on the retina and vitreous gel, which can cause the retina to wrinkle or detach again.

Causes

PVR is most commonly caused by an inflammatory response to a retinal tear or detachment. This response can lead to the proliferation of cells and the formation of scar tissue. Other factors that can contribute to the development of PVR include genetic predisposition, the presence of certain chemicals in the eye, and previous eye surgeries.

Symptoms

The symptoms of PVR can vary depending on the severity of the condition. They may include:

• Decreased vision
• Flashes of light
• Floaters in the field of vision
• A loss of peripheral vision
• A sudden decrease in vision

Diagnosis

PVR is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. This may include a visual acuity test, a dilated eye exam, and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan. In some cases, an ultrasound of the eye may also be performed.

Treatment

The treatment for PVR is primarily surgical. The goal of surgery is to remove the scar tissue and reattach the retina. This is often done through a procedure called a vitrectomy, in which the vitreous gel is removed from the eye and replaced with a gas or oil bubble. In some cases, a scleral buckle may also be used to support the retina.

Prognosis

The prognosis for PVR varies depending on the severity of the condition and the success of the treatment. In some cases, vision may be significantly improved. However, in other cases, vision loss may be permanent.

See also

• Retinal detachment
• Vitrectomy
• Scleral buckle