management of retinal detachment complicating senile retinoschisis

ABSTRACT

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicating senile retinoschisis is a separate clinical entity. Thirteen cases of retinal detachment complicating pre-existing senile retinoschisis were collected over a period of 2 years [1982-83] and were treated by cryocoagulation of the outer leaf breaks and scleral buckling, which should be broad and central to these breaks. We found that drainage of the subretinal fluid was a must, since it is viscid, almost vitreous-like in consistency and thus can never absorb spontaneously. There was successful attachment of the retina behind the buckle and subsequent recovery of visual acuity in all cases. However,in three cases out of the thirteen there was a residual pocket of fluid peripheral to the buckle, but this was non-progressive over a follow-up period of 2 years