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¹Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Asist. Dr.
²Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Prof. Dr. Purpose: To compare the postoperative ocular surface problems and patient comfort of 23 gauge (g) transconjunctival vitrectomy with the conventional 20 g pars plana vitrectomy in macular surgery.
Materials and Methods: Sixty-one consecutive patients undergoing vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membrane and macular hole were recruited to either 20 or 23 g vitrectomy groups and prospectively evaluated. The postoperative ocular surface reaction was qualitatively graded by slit-lamp examination. On postoperative month 1, the patients' postoperative degree of pain, discomfort, lacrimation and photophobia were assessed in a questionnaire.
Results: Mean ocular surface score significantly lower in 23 g group at all postoperative visits compared with 20 g group values (p=0.001). In early as well as late postoperative period, mean ocular surface scores of 23 g group were significantly lower compared with the scores of 20 g group. One month postoperatively, the mean score of the patient comfort questionnaire was 4.0 in 20 g group and 1.5 in 23 g group. The patients in 23 g group reported significantly higher postoperative comfort than the patients in 20 g group (p=0.001).
Conclusion: By comparison with conventional 20 g vitrectomy, 23 g transconjunctival vitrectomy system provided higher postoperative patient comfort and a faster postoperative recovery and less conjunctival scarring. Keywords : Vitrectomy, patient satisfaction, quality of life