Can Laser Retinopexy Prevent Retinal Detachment in Asymptomatic, High-Risk Eyes?

Robert E Morris,1– 3 Mathew R Sapp,1– 3 Dewayne R Conn,1,2 Harshvardhan Chawla,1– 3 Ferenc Kuhn1,4 1Helen Keller Eye Research Foundation, Birmingham, AL, USA; 2Retina Specialists of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA; 3Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; 4Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, HungaryCorrespondence: Robert E Morris, Helen Keller Eye Research Foundation, 2208 University Blvd., Suite 101, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA, Tel +1 659 297 5577, Email [email protected]: Significant literature evidence of retinal detachment prophylaxis safety and effectiveness for asymptomatic but high-risk eyes has appeared during the last five years. But it is still deemed “insufficient evidence to guide management” of asymptomatic fellow eyes in the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Preferred Practice Pattern for 2025. However, both focal and encircling prophylaxis for asymptomatic fellow eyes with lattice degeneration, and encircling laser prophylaxis for asymptomatic fellow eyes with attached posterior vitreous, now justify treatment consideration versus continued observation, based on the evidence we do have, even though it is not “level one”.Keywords: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, RD, retinal detachment prevention, encircling laser prophylaxis, 360-degree laser prophylaxis, retinal tear, Stickler syndrome, SS