Suprachoroidal buckling: technique and indications

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery

Background:

• Retinal detachment (RD) presents various challenges in surgical management.
• Existing treatments like episcleral buckles and vitrectomy have associated complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of suprachoroidal buckling (SCB) as a novel approach for treating retinal detachment.
• To assess SCB's application in myopic tractional maculopathy (MTM) and peripheral retinal breaks.

Main Methods:

• SCB involves guiding specialized devices into the suprachoroidal space to deliver a long-lasting hyaluronic acid filler.
• This injection creates suprachoroidal indentation, supporting the retina and closing retinal breaks.
• The procedure can be performed independently or combined with vitrectomy.

Main Results:

• Restoration of retinal layers was achieved in all treated myopic foveoschisis cases.
• Macular holes demonstrated closure in most cases, and all peripheral retinal breaks were successfully buckled and closed in a single procedure.
• The SCB procedure proved safe, simple, and provided sufficient duration for chorioretinal scarring.

Conclusions:

• Suprachoroidal buckling (SCB) is a viable surgical option for specific cases of retinal detachment, including MTM and peripheral tears.
• SCB offers an alternative to traditional episcleral buckles, potentially avoiding complications.
• This technique may also obviate the need for vitrectomy in selected rhegmatogenous RD cases.