[The effects of vortex vein ligation and partial scleral resection on the subretinal fluid resorption]

The effects of the choroidal congestion and lamellar scleral resection on the resorption of the subretinal fluid were studied. Small localized retinal detachments were made in pigmented rabbit eyes by injecting balanced salt solution into the subretinal space. In these control eyes, the subretinal fluid was gradually absorbed and the retina was reattached within 160 +/- 21 min. Choroidal congestion was obtained by ligating a couple of vortex veins. To avoid the effects of IOP on the subretinal fluid resorption, IOP was constantly maintained at 20 mmHg by manometry in all experimental eyes. In these eyes, the resorption time was prolonged about 45% compared with the control eyes. After releasing the choroidal congestion by partial thickness scleral resection, the prolonged resorption time was shortened about 19%, but was still 17% longer than that in the non-treated eyes. The present data suggest that the lamellar scleral resection releases the elevated choroidal tissue pressure and is helpful to evacuate the subretinal space.