Frequency of retinal detachments in dogs after prophylactic transpupillary retinopexy

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the frequency of retinal detachments following prophylactic transpupillary retinopexy (PTPRP). Methods The medical records of dogs that received a PTPRP between 2014 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed for age, sex, breed, reason for retinopexy, laser power setting, number of retinal burns, follow‐up duration, and outcome. Laser power settings were increased until retinal burns could be visualized and were made 360° in a double row in the peripheral retina. Results Fifty‐seven cases (75 eyes), 28 males and 29 females, had PTPRP performed. The median age was 8 years (4 months–14 years) with Shih tzu ( n = 12), Bichon ( n = 5), Miniature Poodle ( n = 5), and Yorkie ( n = 4) being the most common breeds. PTPRP were performed due to severe vitreal degeneration ( n = 66), retinal detachment in the contralateral eye ( n = 25), capsular tear with escaped lens material during phacoemulsification ( n = 6), intracapsular lens extraction (n = 2), and lens luxation during phacoemulsification ( n = 3). The median power setting, number of retinal burns, and follow‐up time were 300 mW (201–595 mW), 210 burns (35–921 burns), and 473 days (14–1862 days), respectively. Additionally, five patients had a barrier‐pexy performed in the contralateral eye, due to partial detachment. Retinal detachment occurred in 3/75 (4.0%) of eyes that received a PTPRP at the final examination. Of the patients with a detachment in the contralateral eye ( n = 25), no detachment was noted at the last follow‐up examination. Two partial detachments that had barrier‐pexies had progressed at the final examination. Conclusions These results demonstrate that PTPRP may be beneficial in decreasing the risk of retinal detachment in selected cases.