Regional Practice Patterns for Retinal Detachment Repair in the United States

center dot PURPOSE: To determine if there are variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair in the United States. center dot DESIGN: Retrospective, noninterventional, cross-sectional study. center dot METHODS: Year 2009 Medicare fee-for-service claims for retinal detachment repair were aggregated in 4 geographic regions and evaluated. The relative preference for retinal detachment repair by pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckling, and pneumatic retinopexy was analyzed. center dot RESULTS: The Midwest demonstrated a greater preference for scleral buckling compared to all other regions (P < .01) and lower preference for pars plana vitrectomy relative to the South and West (P <= .02). The Northeast demonstrated a greater preference for pneumatic retinopexy when compared to all other regions (P < .01). The Northeast also revealed a trend toward a lower preference for pars plana vitrectomy compared to the West and South (P <= .08). center dot CONCLUSION: There are statistically significant variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair. The West, despite its historical association with pneumatic retinopexy, did not demonstrate a greater preference for the surgical technique. (Am J Ophthalmol 2012;153:1125-1128. (C) 2012 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)