Visual Outcome in Patients with Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Undergoing Primary Scleral Buckling Procedure

Abstract

This study was aimed at the visual and anatomical outcome of the conventional sclera buckling procedure performed for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Fifty eyes of 50 patients of RRD were studied. Preoperative data included patient’s gender, lens status (phakic, aphakic, visually significant cataract, pseudophakia), history of trauma, ocular surgery, macular detachment and preoperative BCVA. Cases were stratified into four BCVA groups, both pre- and postoperatively. There were 21 males (42%) and 29 females (58%) with mean age of 40 years. Six patients (12%) were high myopes (−6D or more). Eleven patients (22%) were having myopia < 6D, two patients (4%) were hypermetropes. Macula was off in 37 patients (74%). Thirty-nine patients (78%) had a BCVA of < 3/60 among whom 26 patients (52%) had a BCVA of HM or less. On the first postoperative day, the retina was completely attached in 49 patients (98%). Primary success rate was 97.72% and final success rate was 100%. None of the patients had preoperative PVR, which accounted for such high success rate. Conventional SB is still considered to be a safe and effective technique in the primary management of uncomplicated RRD. Reasonable anatomical as well as visual success can be achieved even in delayed cases.