Complications of primary scleral buckling procedures in high myopia

Repair of retinal detachments in high myopia may be associated with numerous intraoperative complications. Included are complications involved with the drainage of subretinal fluid as well as those arising from thin sclera. Highly myopic eyes tend to be more prone to these complications than less myopic or nonmyopic eyes. A retrospective study of 51 consecutive highly myopic eyes (six diopters (D) or greater) undergoing primary scleral buckling procedures was performed. Intraoperative complications occurred in a total of six eyes (12%). The complications were related to drainage of subretinal fluid in four eyes (8%) and associated with thin sclera in two eyes (4%). Despite the above-noted complications, there was no adverse effect on the final level of visual acuity or on the anatomic status of the retina. In the comparison of the incidence of drainage-related complications with previously published studies not preselected according to refractive status, there appears to be no added risk of complications based on the degree of myopia.