Regional Practice Patterns for Retinal Detachment Repair in the United States

PurposeTo determine if there are variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair in the United States.DesignRetrospective, noninterventional, cross-sectional study.MethodsYear 2009 Medicare fee-for-service claims for retinal detachment repair were aggregated in 4 geographic regions and evaluated. The relative preference for retinal detachment repair by pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckling, and pneumatic retinopexy was analyzed.ResultsThe Midwest demonstrated a greater preference for scleral buckling compared to all other regions (P < .01) and lower preference for pars plana vitrectomy relative to the South and West (P ≤ .02). The Northeast demonstrated a greater preference for pneumatic retinopexy when compared to all other regions (P < .01). The Northeast also revealed a trend toward a lower preference for pars plana vitrectomy compared to the West and South (P ≤ .08).ConclusionThere are statistically significant variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair. The West, despite its historical association with pneumatic retinopexy, did not demonstrate a greater preference for the surgical technique.