Scleral buckling procedure for retinal detachments secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Ninety-two patients (99 eyes) underwent scleral buckling procedures for retinal detachment associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Fifty-three procedures were for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and 46 for tractional retinal detachment. The average follow-up period was 38 months. Anatomic success was assessed in terms of closure of retinal breaks (59/69, 86%), macular reattachment (42/90, 46%), and reduction in extent of retinal detachment postoperatively as compared to preoperatively (62/99, 63%). The visual acuity was better postoperatively in 33/99 (34%) of the eyes; 58/99 (58%) of the eyes maintained finger counting visual acuity. Improvement in visual acuity was more frequent in eyes with rhegmatogenous detachment (23/53, 43%) than in those with traction detachment (10/46, 22%). Although improvement is generally limited, some patients are markedly benefitted by scleral buckling procedures.