Long-Term Results of Scleral Buckling Using a Microsurgical Approach

Background: The purpose of this study is to report the long-term results of a refined scleral buckling technique for the treatment of retinal detachments. Patients/Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 152 consecutive cases (129 patients), operated in our clinic by one Surgeon. Indirect ophthalmoscopy was used for the identification and treatment of retinal breaks. All other steps of the operation were performed under the operating microscope. The main outcome measures were the retinal redetachment rate, intraoperative and postoperative complication rates as well as the functional outcome. Results: Reattachment was achieved in 130 eyes (85.5%) after the first procedure and in 151 eyes (99.3%) after reoperation. No intraoperative complications occurred in our series. Eighty-one eyes (53.3%) showed a significant improvement in visual acuity after surgery, whereas 16 eyes (10.5%) showed a significant deterioration in visual acuity. At the last follow-up visit, 101 cases (66.4%) showed a visual acuity of 0.5 or better, 68 cases (44.7%) had a visual acuity of 0.8 or better and in 7 cases (4.6%) the visual acuity was lower than 0.1. Conclusions: Adding microsurgical techniques to scleral buckle Surgery may help to minimise the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative cornplications resulting in a favourable functional outcome.