Comparative Analysis of Scleral Buckling With or Without Postoperative Photocoagulation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: For the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, laser photocoagulation is usually combined with scleral buckling. But laser photocoagulation has high possibility of complications. So, we evaluated the effect of scleral buckling only without laser photocoagulation for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: We reviewed pre- and post-operative characteristics of retinal detachment in 31 eyes who had undergone scleral buckling only (group A) and in 33 eyes who had laser photocoagulation after scleral buckling (group B). All the patients had similar preoperative findings and had been followed for 1 year or longer. RESULTS: Anatomic success rate was achieved in 83.9% in group A, 81.8% in group B after primary operation. Functional success rate was achieved in 61.3% in group A, 63.6% in group B. No complications in group A but proliferative vitreoretinopathy (3 eyes) and preretinal membrane (2 eyes) did form in group B. CONCLUSIONS: When the vitreoretinal traction is relieved by scleral buckling, we considered only scleral buckling procedure is the fairly effective procedure for retinal detachment in case of equatorial or peripheral tear and that also decrease the incidence of complication.