Treatment of vitreoretinal disorders in the developing world: Indications and outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery in Nepal

To examine the outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for retinal disorders at Tilganga Eye Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal. Retrospective noncomparative case series. Records of 255 patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery from December 2000 to January 2003 were reviewed. Demographics, diagnoses, duration of symptoms, vision, and examination findings were noted before and after vitreoretinal surgery. Postoperative data were categorized by surgery type and analyzed by anatomic success, symptoms, and visual acuity (VA). Sixteen percent of patients had >6/60 vision preoperatively, and the mean duration of vision loss before presentation was 4.9 months. Major indications for surgery were retinal detachment (RD) (75%) and vitreous hemorrhage (19%). Anatomic success was achieved in 74.5% of patients. Postoperatively, 39% of patients experienced improved VA, with 33% obtaining >6/60 vision. Despite prolonged duration of vision loss at presentation, vitreoretinal surgery in the developing world can restore useful vision in many patients with RD and vitreous hemorrhage.