Incidence and Surgical Management of Simultaneous Bilateral Retinal Detachment

Background: Simultaneous bilateral retinal detachment (RD) is very rare and its incidence has not been very well characterised. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of RD cases treated at the Jules Gonin Eye Hospital between 1999 and 2010. Results: Over the 11 year period, 10 patients (20 eyes) with simultaneous bilateral RD were identified (average incidence among RD=0.9%). Mean age: 46.4 +/- 17.6 years, with a M: F Ratio of 6: 4. Pseudophakia was present in 10 eyes and myopia >=-5.0 dioptres in 11 eyes. Visual symptoms were unilateral in 7 patients, bilateral in 2 patients and absent in one patient. RD was macula-on in 15 eyes and macula-off in 5 eyes. Atrophic holes were present in 11 eyes, U-tears in 6 eyes and a combination in 3 eyes. Primary surgery consisted of buckle surgery (11 eyes), vitrectomy (6 eyes) and combines technique (3 eyes). The final anatomical success rate was 100%. Mean follow-up time was 22.7 +/- 4.95 months. Conclusion: The incidence of bilateral simultaneous RD appears to be very low and surgical success rates are excellent. Bilateral pre-operative dilated fundoscopy is mandatory, as the majority of patients have unilateral symptoms.