Scleral buckling with a non-contact wide-angle viewing system.

PURPOSE

To assess the outcome of scleral buckling surgery using a non-contact wide-angle viewing system for fundus visualization in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment without proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixteen eyes of 16 patients underwent scleral buckling using a non-contact wide-angle viewing system combined with a 25-gauge illumination fibre inserted into the sclera at the pars plana.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 53.6 ± 13.7 years and the mean follow-up time was 13.4 ± 2.8 months. Retinal reattachment was achieved in 13 of the 16 eyes (81%). Three eyes underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil injection because of development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy in 2 eyes and scleral perforation due to excessive indentation during cryoretinopexy in 1 eye. Two eyes developed limited subretinal haemorrhage during subretinal fluid drainage.

CONCLUSION

Simultaneous use of a non-contact wide-angle viewing system combined with a 25-gauge light fibre illumination for fundus visualization brings the advantages of microsurgery and indirect ophthalmoscopy into scleral buckling surgery.