Ocular immobilization and its role in the management of superior retinal detachment

Twenty-eight patients with bullous superior half retinal detachments were treated by pre-operative binocular occlusion, retrobulbar Bupivicaine hydrochloride and ocular immobilization using a temporary inferior rectus suture taped to the patient's forehead. Sufficient pre-operative flattening of the retina was achieved in each case to permit successful simple detachment surgery, with release of subretinal fluid in only three eyes. Eye movements were recorded by electro-oculography in five patients during separate periods of binocular occlusion, inferior rectus suture fixation and following a retrobulbar injection of 0.5 per cent Bupivicaine hydrochloride. All three methods of ocular immobilization caused a significant reduction in frequency and amplitude of eye movements compared with periods of unrestricted eye movement.