GIANT RETINAL TEARS .2. EXPERIMENTAL PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT WITH INTRAVITREAL AIR

This study has shown that giant retinal tears between 90 ° and 360 ° can consistently be produced in the eye of the owl monkey. By replacing almost all of the vitreous with air and proper positioning of the eye it is possible to reattach these retinas. Utilizing this technique eight detachments with tears between 180 ° and 350 ° were successfully reattached. They were observed for many weeks and investigated histologically. Advantages and contraindications, formulated from the experience in these cases, are reported. It is hoped that this experiment will serve as a model for treatment of similar human detachments. The intraocular air tamponade could be an adjunct in the management of retinal detachments with giant breaks greater than 180 ° when vitreous organization does not prevent mobilization of the retina. © 1969.