Outcome of scleral buckling procedures for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Objective: To study the outcome of conventional scleral buckling procedures performed for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Khyber Institute of Ophthalmic Medical Sciences, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan from 02-08-2008 to 29-04-2009. The outcome of fifty-six consecutive cases, operated in nine months duration, for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using scleral buckling procedures, were analyzed prospectively. The main outcome measure was anatomically re-attached retina at two weeks postoperative follow-up. Results: Overall success rate was 85.71% (48 of 56 cases) at 2-weeks post-operative follow-up. The most common intra-operative complication was sub-retinal haemorrhage (23.21% cases), and the most common complication at first post-operative day was increased intra-ocular pressure (IOP), ( 21.43% cases). The raised pressure was transient in most cases, and only 2 (3.57%) had elevated IOP at 2-weeks post-op follow-up. Choroidal detachment was the second commonest post-operative complication (10.7%) The un-aided visual acuity was PL or HM in 32 (57.14%) cases and better than 6/60 in 3 (5.36%) cases pre-operatively. This improved to PL/HM in 12 (21.43%) and better than 6/60 in 16 (28.57%) cases post-operatively. Not very significant improvement in vision despite flat retina was found to be due to late presentation of patients, high grade PVR (Grade-C) in 24 (42.86%) cases and pre-operative off macula in 52 (92.86%) cases, at a short-term follow up. Conclusion: Scleral buckling procedures are still effective in the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment even in high-grade PVR cases. A fairly good success rate can be achieved by adopting the appropriate procedures.