Study Finds Same-Day Postoperative Exam Safe After Vitreoretinal Surgery

A recent study suggests that conducting a postoperative exam on the day of vitreoretinal surgery (day 0) is a safe and effective alternative to the traditional day 1 assessment. The research, presented at the American Society of Retina Specialists annual meeting, highlights that scheduling challenges often hinder timely follow-ups, and a day 0 exam could alleviate these logistical issues. In the study involving 90 eyes from 82 patients, researchers performed examinations approximately seven hours after surgery and again on the following day. Results showed a slight increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) from an average of 13.8 mm Hg on day 0 to 17.5 mm Hg on day 1, both within normal ranges. While some eyes exhibited higher IOP on day 1, the differences were minimal, and no significant complications or adverse effects, such as retinal view impairment or infections, were observed. Dr. Christina Y. Weng, the lead researcher, concluded that a day 0 postoperative assessment could serve as a reliable substitute for the traditional day 1 check, potentially improving scheduling flexibility without compromising patient safety.