Pneumatic buckle for the repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

OBJECTIVES: This prospective study examines the effectiveness of the pneumatic buckle procedure (nondrainage scleral buckle with pneumatic retinopexy) for repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. METHODS: We studied 58 consecutive patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments who underwent a pneumatic buckle with air or SF6. The procedures were performed at 2 centers. Retinal reattachment and visual acuity were examined. RESULTS: The single operation reattachment rate for patients undergoing a pneumatic buckle procedure was 95%. Eighty eight percent of patients with macula-on detachment had unchanged or improved final visual acuity. Sixty seven percent of patients with macula-off detachments had a final visual acuity between 20/20 and 20/50. Twenty nine percent had final visual acuity between 20/60 and 20/200. Two patients developed a new retinal hole postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Pneumatic buckle is an effective technique for repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments caused by breaks in the superior 8 o'clock segment. This technique avoids the complications associated with the drainage portion of the traditional scleral buckle operation and results in a high rate of retinal reattachment and stable or improved visual acuity. The rate of new retinal hole formation in this study is much lower than those reported for pneumatic retinopexy.