prognosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
With care, 90% of retinal detachments can be repaired by one operation. Subsequent procedures salvage a further 6%. A retina which remains fixed for 6 months is unlikely to become detached again (1).
Successful retinal surgery does not always guarantee a good visual outcome. In patients who present with poorer vision, good final visual acuity is less likely (2).
The fovea is very sensitive however, and is easily damaged by separation from it's blood supply. Extrafoveal function is comparatively resilient and may show remarkable recovery even following months of detachment.
Once the macular detachment takes place the prognosis becomes poor and the final visual recovery depends on the duration of detachment. Outcome of surgery are best when the repair is done before the macula is involved (2).
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