THE EFFECT OF PROPHYLACTIC ACETAZOLAMIDE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING EXTENSIVE RETINAL-DETACHMENT REPAIR

Encirclement of the eye as part of a retinal detachment repair is know n to raise the post-operative intraocular pressure, We studied the eff ect of anticipating this pressure rise by giving perioperative acetazo lamide to patients having vitrectomy and encirclement procedures, Two groups (9 with acetazolamide and 14 without) were matched for biograph ic variables, type of detachment and operation variables, The group gi ven acetazolamide had lower day 1 post-operative intraocular pressures (mean 22.11 mmHg vs 36.36 mmHg, p = 0.002) and were able to go home s ooner (mean 1.56 days vs 3.29 days, p = 0.001). No adverse effects of short-term acetazolamide use were noted in this study, We conclude tha t patients having extensive scleral buckling procedures should all rec eive prophylactic acetazolamide unless it is specifically contraindica ted.