retinopexy

Retinopexy is a medical procedure used to treat or prevent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment by creating adhesive scarring around a retinal tear to seal it and prevent fluid from entering the subretinal space. It can be performed as a standalone treatment for certain tears or as part of the broader surgical management of retinal detachment.

There are two main techniques. Laser retinopexy uses a focused laser to apply numerous small burns around the tear, stimulating scar formation that binds the retina to the underlying tissue. Cryoretinopexy (cryopexy) uses freezing temperatures with a specialized probe to induce a chorioretinal scar around the tear. Laser retinopexy is commonly performed in the clinic or operating room and can often be done with local anesthesia, while cryopexy may be performed during more extensive retinal surgery or as a standalone procedure in selected cases.

Indications include retinal tears or breaks at risk of progression to detachment, tears associated with lattice degeneration, high myopia, trauma, or after vitrectomy. Retinopexy is frequently used as an adjunct to scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy to secure the retina after repositioning.

Outcomes and follow-up: retinopexy aims to produce permanent adhesions within days to weeks. The effectiveness depends on tear location, size, and additional retinal pathology. Postprocedure follow-up is needed to monitor adhesion formation and detect new tears or detachments. Potential risks are generally low but can include inflammation, transient pain, temporary rise in intraocular pressure, unintended retinal damage, cataract progression in some contexts, or infection.