Bilateral Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment After Uneventful Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review

A 72-year-old man developed a non-simultaneous bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), three months after bilateral sequential uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery performed through a 2.75 mm clear cornea incision by the same high-volume cataract surgeon. The patient was of Indian background and a high myope. Meticulous retinal evaluation had been performed preoperatively, and no retinal holes, tears, or other predisposing retinal abnormalities were discovered. Notably, posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was absent bilaterally prior to cataract surgery but developed postoperatively preceding each RRD. The RRD was rectified by pars plana vitrectomy, retinopexy, and endocular tamponade.