Absorption of subretinal fluid after nondrainage retinal detachment surgery.

A total of 134 cases of retinal detachment treated with a single successful nondrainage operation were studied to assess the rate of absorption of subretinal fluid in the postoperative period. It has been found that the relationship of the tear to the buckle at the end of the operation is an indicator of the rate of absorption of subretinal fluid that can be expected in the postoperative period. The age of the detachment or the age of the patient did not appear to be significant factors in influencing absorption. In 28 cases (21%), absorption of subretinal fluid took longer than one week. This delay in absorption shows that conservatism regarding early reoperation should be urged unless a definite cause of failure (such as a missed tear) can be found.