[Preliminary results with the Lincoff-Kreissig balloon buckle]

The authors used the unsecured balloon buckle of Lincoff and Kreissig in 15 cases during a six-month period (September 1981 to March 1982) at the Ist Eye Clinic in Vienna and the Eye Department in Salzburg. Cases were selected in which one large tear and a circumscribed detachment existed, as well as detachments with only one tear or a group of holes which did not exceed one hour in extent. After an observation period of between three and nine months the detachment was cured with the balloon buckle in 12 eyes, while in three eyes it failed; in two of them a cure was achieved by permanent buckle operation. In one eye the find result was MPP. This method seems particularly suited to cases where cryocoagulation or photocoagulation alone is too dangerous, but on the other hand a permanent buckle operation might cause muscle disturbances and irritating diplopia in eyes with usually good visual acuity before and after surgery. Further experience with the unsecured balloon buckle will show how far the indications for this method can be extended.