Retinal Detachment Due to Retinal Dialysis: Surgical Outcome After Scleral Buckling

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of scleral buckling surgery in retinal detachment due to retinal dialysis.

This study was a prospective, interventional case series.

A total of 48 eyes of 48 consecutive patients were included after obtaining informed written consent. Besides taking a thorough history, all eyes were examined by a retinal surgeon. The macula status, site, and extent of retinal dialysis and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) were particularly noted. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy grading was done. Buckling was performed by a single surgeon. At every follow-up, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, retina status, and buckle position were noted. Any complication found was recorded. Follow-up was done for at least 6 months. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis.

We included 48 cases of RRD due to retinal dialysis. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 26.85 ± 15.1 years. The macula was detached in 85.4% of the cases, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy grade C was found in 25% of the cases. A surgical reattachment rate of 95.8% was attained after a single primary buckling procedure. Final Snellen best-corrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better was attained in 12.5% of the cases. However, 62.5% of the cases had best-corrected visual acuity in the range of 6/24 to 6/60. Subretinal hemorrhage occurred in 8.3% of cases intraoperatively after subretinal fluid drainage.

We conclude that scleral buckling has a definite role in the management of RRD due to retinal dialysis.