Comparative Outcomes of Giant Retinal Tear Repair: Choroidectomy with Laser vs. Laser Alone.

Abstract

Background: Giant Retinal Tear (GRT)-associated retinal detachment is a vision-threatening condition requiring precise surgical intervention. While LASER photocoagulation is a standard treatment, the role of choroidectomy in improving anatomical and functional outcomes remains debated. To compare the surgical outcomes and visual improvement in patients with Giant Retinal Tear (GRT) treated with Choroidectomy and LASER versus LASER alone.

Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Lahore General Hospital, over a 12-month period. Twenty patients were enrolled and randomly assigned into two equal groups. One group underwent GRT repair with choroidectomy and LASER, while the other received LASER alone. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for six months.

Results: Both surgical approaches achieved high retinal reattachment rates 90% in the choroidectomy with LASER group and 80% in the LASER-only group indicating a marginally better outcome for choroidectomy in complex cases. Visual recovery was also higher in the choroidectomy group (70%) compared to the LASER-only group (60%). However, preoperative macular status and postoperative management appeared to have a greater influence on visual improvement than the inclusion of choroidectomy.

Conclusion: This study found no significant difference between choroidectomy with LASER and LASER alone in treating giant retinal tears (GRT). Retinal reattachment rates were 90% vs. 80%, and visual improvement was 70% vs. 60%, but the differences were not statistically significant.