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. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel