Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling in Retinal Detachment Surgery

Despite advances in surgical techniques over the recent decades, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) remains the main obstacle to successful rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair, accounting for nearly 75% of all primary surgical failures. It is characterized by the growth and contraction of cellular membranes within the vitreous cavity and on both surfaces of the detached retina as well as intraretinal fibrosis.

The Retina Society classification, modified in 1991 and currently the most widely used, divided PVR into three grades. Grade A is limited to the presence of vitreous haze and pigment clumps. Grade B includes rolled or irregular edges of tear and/or inner retinal surface wrinkling with possible retinal stiffness and vessel tortuosity. Grade C is defined as the presence of full-thickness fixed retinal folds and is further subdivided based on the number of hours involved and the location.

Recently, Foveau et al., in a retrospective comparative case series, have demonstrated that performing internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling during RRD surgery may increase the anatomical success rate for this indication.

The aim of this multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial study is to evaluate the effectiveness of ILM peeling on surgical outcomes in patients with primary macula-off RRD complicated by grade B PVR.