Efficacy of scleral buckling for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using a novel foldable capsular buckle.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of scleral buckling for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) using a novel foldable capsular buckle (FCB).

Methods: This was a series of case observation studies. Eighteen patients (18 eyes) who visited our ophthalmology department between August 2020 and August 2022 and were treated for RRD with scleral buckling using FCB were included. The procedure was similar to conventional scleral buckling, while a balloon-like FCB was placed onto the retinal break with balanced salt solution filling for a broad, external indentation instead of the silicone buckle. The retinal reattachment rate, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive dioptre and astigmatism degree, and complications were evaluated and recorded.

Results: There were 7 males and 11 females aged 19-58y. The average time course of RRD was 12d, ranging from 7-20d. The retinal break was located in the superior quadrants in 8 eyes and in the inferior quadrants in 10 eyes, with macula-off detachments in 12 eyes. The patients were followed-up for at least 6mo. The final retinal reattachment rate was 100%. The BCVA was significantly improved compared with the baseline (<0.05). There was no significant change in refractive dioptre or astigmatism degree at each follow-up (all >0.05). Three patients had transiently high IOPs within one week after surgery. Mild diplopia occurred in 5 patients after surgery and then disappeared after the balloon fluid was removed.

Conclusion: The success rate of FCB scleral buckling for RRD is satisfactory. This procedure can be expected to be applied in new, uncomplicated cases of RRD.