Factors Affecting the Visual Outcome after Scleral Buckle in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Involving Macula

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the factors affecting the visual outcome after a scleral buckle in a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment involving the macula. METHODS: A retrospective survey of 70 eyes was carried out. The preoperative factors examined in this study included the preoperative visual acuity, the patient's age, the duration of macular detachment, the extent of the detached retina, the location of the retinal hole, and the surgical procedure. The correlation between these factors and the postoperative visual outcome were investigated. RESULTS: The factors related to a favorable visual outcome were the preoperative visual acuity, age, the duration of macular detachment, surgical procedure, and the location of the retinal hole. A preoperative visual acuity of 0.1 or more, an age of 30 years or less, a detached retina of 2 quadrants or less, and duration of macular detachment of 7 days or less were factors that indicated a favorable visual outcome. The surgical procedure and the location of the retinal hole were not associated with the visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The factors related to a favorable visual outcome were a preoperative visual acuity of 0.2 or higher, an age of 30 or less, a detached retina of 2 quadrants or less, and duration of the macular detachment of 7 days or less. The location of the retinal hole, however, did not affect the visual outcome.