Steamroller versus basic technique in pneumatic retinopexy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness and safety of the "basic" technique with those of the "steamroller" technique in pneumatic retinopexy (PR) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Methods: In this prospective study, 40 eyes of 40 patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were treated with PR by argon laser photocoagulation. PR with the steamroller technique (steamroller group) was performed randomly on 21 eyes of 21 patients, and 19 eyes of 19 patients were treated with PR with the basic technique (basic group).