Bilateral Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Following Cataract Surgery In a Young Adult: What Could Have Been Done Differently? A Case Report And Review Of Literature
Keywords:
Bilateral blindness, Cataract surgery, Medical outreach, Retinal detachment, UltrasonographyAbstract
Cataract remains a leading cause of reversible blindness globally, particularly in low-resource settings. Although cataract surgery is highly successful, complications such as retinal detachment (RD), though uncommon, can result in devastating visual outcomes. We report a 39-year-old male who developed bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) following sequential cataract surgeries performed at different centers, including a community outreach setting. Postoperative follow-up was inadequate after the first surgery, and despite subsequent intervention in the fellow eye, he developed bilateral RD and complete blindness. Ocular ultrasonography confirmed chronic RD with macrocyst formation. This case highlights critical gaps in preoperative evaluation, surgical setting standards, and postoperative follow-up. Known risk factors for RD—including young age, possible myopia, and history of RD in the fellow eye—were likely not adequately assessed. Cataract surgery increases RD risk through vitreoretinal interface alterations. Bilateral involvement further emphasizes the importance of risk stratification. Cataract surgery in outreach settings must adhere to strict clinical protocols, including proper patient selection, risk assessment, and structured follow-up systems to prevent avoidable blindness.
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