[Healon as an internal tamponade in retinal detachment surgery]

In 14 selected cases of retinal detachment the vitreous cavity was filled with Healon (0.8-4.0 ml) during subretinal drainage. Follow-up periods ranged between 2 and 7 months. In 12 cases the retinal detachment was cured; in 2 eyes redetachment with massive periretinal proliferation occurred. In addition to transient Tyndall phenomena, which were frequently seen in the anterior chamber and vitreous cavity, the intraocular pressure increased to as much as 45 mm Hg postoperatively in 5 cases. Owing to failure of the antiglaucoma therapy in 3 cases the Healon filling had to be removed.