Managing subclinical rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with demarcation laser photocoagulation: A case series

Symptomatic retinal detachment threatening the macula is considered an emergency requiring surgical intervention. However, the management of subclinical rhegmatogenous retinal detachment remains controversial, with differing opinions among clinicians. Almost half of these cases are known to progress into symptomatic detachments; hence, management at the asymptomatic stage is advised rather than mere observation. In such cases, demarcation laser photocoagulation (DLP) can help to contain the detachment. It involves creating a laser barrage around the detachment by applying 3-5 rows of confluent laser burns with a laser indirect ophthalmoscopy delivery system. DLP, being an outpatient-based, inexpensive, and minimally invasive procedure, can prove beneficial in such patients, especially those who are not motivated enough to undergo an invasive procedure in an asymptomatic eye. Through this case series, the authors have described the clinical profile of the patients with subclinical retinal detachment, where DLP was helpful in the containment of the subretinal fluid.