Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment without macular involvement treated with scleral buckling

Among 173 patients who had rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with spared maculas, high percentage achieved anatomic and functional success. We reattached 171 (99%) of the retinas; 150 (76%) of the eyes had final visual acuities of 6/15 (20/50) or better. Eighteen eyes (10%) had final postoperative visual acuities reduced more than two lines from the preoperative level. This reduced visual acuity was primarily related to postoperative changes occurring in the macula. The prognosis both for anatomic reattachment and visual acuity after scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is significantly better when the macula is spared than when it is not. Large numbers of cryoapplications were not associated with macular complications.