Surgical drainage of chronic serous retinal detachment associated with uveitis

Purpose: To evaluate the anatomic and visual outcomes after surgical management of chronic serous retinal detachments (SRD) associated with uveitis. Methods: Retrospective, interventional, case study of patients with uveitis with controlled ocular inflammation who underwent drainage of a chronic SRD at the Cole Eye Institute (1998-2006). Data collected included diagnosis, ophthalmic findings, medical management, surgical technique, complications, and anatomic and visual outcomes. Results: Five patients with uveitis were identified who underwent surgical drainage of a SRD. Preoperative medical treatment included prednisone 1 mgkg with various tapering g regimens. The median time on oral corticosteroids preoperatively was 4 months (range 3-6 months). Four patients received further adjuvant treatment. Median time from SRD diagnosis to surgical drainage was 6 months (range 3-15 months). No patient had active intraocular inflammation preoperatively. Retinal reattachment was achieved in all patients after a median follow-up of 55 months (range 1-61 months). Four of five patients experienced improvement in visual acuity after surgical intervention. Conclusion: Select patients with uveitis with a SRD whose subretinal fluid fails to resorb after medical therapy and resolution of inflammation can achieve long-term retinal reattachment by surgical management.