IS A POSTOPERATIVE DAY ONE EXAMINATION NEEDED AFTER UNCOMPLICATED VITREORETINAL SURGERY?

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether there were any adverse consequences from seeing vitreoretinal surgery patients on the second rather than the first postoperative day.

Methods: A retrospective review of vitreoretinal surgical patients from a single surgeon seen on the second, but not the first day after surgery. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative findings were recorded with attention to adverse or safety events.

Results: One hundred thirty-four patients were identified, representing a variety of vitreoretinal pathology and surgical procedures. All patients received a technician phone call on the first postoperative day inquiring about pain and vision. Six patients had an intraocular pressure over 30 on the second postoperative day, all managed medically. Only one patient was seen on the first postoperative day because of pain and elevated pressure. There were no cases of endophthalmitis.

Conclusion: Postoperative vitreoretinal surgical patients can reasonably be seen on the second postoperative day, when logistics dictate, allowing them to be seen by their operative surgeon in a more convenient location.