Characteristics and Outcomes of Retinal Detachment Associated With Atopic Dermatitis: A Retrospective Case Series

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the characteristics and outcomes of retinal detachment (RD) repair associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods: A single-center, retrospective review of all patients with RD associated with AD between January 2007 and December 2017 was conducted. Results: Ten patients (13 eyes) were included with a mean age of 23.5 ± 6.4 years; 6 of the patients were male (60%). The average follow-up was 41.3 ± 34.8 months. Seven eyes developed proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and recurrent RD (53.8%). The mean number of retinal surgeries was 2.3 ± 1.3. Three eyes had a scleral buckle alone (23.1%), 4 eyes had vitrectomy only (30.8%), and 6 eyes had both scleral buckle and vitrectomy (46.2%). Five eyes had prior cataract surgery (38.5%), 5 eyes had cataract at presentation (38.5%), and 5 eyes developed lens subluxation (38.5%). The mean presenting best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.14 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen equivalent, 20/276) and the mean final BCVA was 1.06 (Snellen, 20/230; P = .83). The retina was successfully reattached at final follow-up in all 13 eyes (100%). Conclusions: RD is a challenging complication of AD with a high rate of PVR, recurrent RD, cataract, and lens subluxation. Patient education and physician awareness are necessary for timely diagnosis, appropriate counseling, and optimal surgical planning.