Outcome of scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in Nigeria

Background: The goal was to review the visual and anatomical outcome of scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at a tertiary eye care center in Nigeria between January 1994 and December 2000. Material/Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive case series of all eyes that had undergone scleral buckling over a 7-year study period. Data collected from the case notes included duration of symptoms, visual acuity at presentation and 3 and 6 months post-op, clinical presentation of the detachments, risk factors-for retinal detachment, the surgical procedure done, anatomical outcome at discharge and at 3 and 6 months post-op, and intra-op and post-op complications. Results: Ninety-eight eyes of 98 patients underwent scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment during the study period. The mean age was 42 years. The male-to-female ratio was 3.7:1. The mean duration of symptoms was 29.7 weeks. Seventy-six eyes (77.6%) had subtotal to total retinal detachment, with 91 (92.9%) eyes having macular detachment. The surgical technique was cryotherapy, sub-retinal fluid drainage, and explant. At 3 months post-op, 40/54 (74.1%) eyes had successful anatomical outcome. Only 52% (21/40) of these eyes had the best corrected visual acuity of 6/60 or better at 3 months post-op. Conclusions: In Nigeria, and possibly many developing countries, efforts should be made towards early diagnosis and treatment of retinal detachments with adequate expertise and facilities.