Scleral buckle extrusion associated with phthisis

Exposure of implanted episcleral element is a rare complication of buckling procedures. We describe a 40-year-old man who presented to our clinic complaining of foreign body sensation and irritation in his left eye which lasted several months. The patient history was positive for bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment which was treated with sclera buckling. Upon presentation the left eye demonstrated phthisis and an exposed and infected sclera buckle and explant in the lower quadrants. The explant was removed, and the patient was treated with antibiotics. This case suggests that wide encircling sclera element might erode through the conjunctiva of eyes undergoing phthisis. Integrity of the conjunctiva overlying episcleral implant should be evaluated during routine follow-up exams to exclude exposure of the implant particularly in eyes undergoing phthisis.