Endoillumination aided scleral buckling combined with intravitreal injection of hyaluronate for treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Abstract Background: To evaluate the efficiency and safety of 25-gauge illumination aided scleral buckling surgery combined with intravitreal injection of hyaluronate for treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment Methods: This study was undertaken in a prospective, nonrandomized, and uncontrolled manner. Patients of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were performed scleral buckling surgery with the aid of intraocular illumination and noncontact wide-angle viewing system. Hyaluronate was injected into the vitreous cavity to maintain intraocular pressure stable after subretinal fluid drainage through the external sclerotomy when necessary. Best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure, fundus examination and complications were observed and recorded. Results: Twenty-eight consecutive patients (28 eyes) were enrolled. Subretinal fluid drainage and hyaluronate injection was performed in 12 eyes. The final reattachment ratio was 100%. BCVA increased after operation (P<0.001) and no significant difference was observed between preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure (P=0.149). No iatrogenic retinal break, choroidal hemorrhage or endophthalmitis were observed. Conclusions: Endoillumination aided buckling surgery combined with intravitreal injection of hyaluronate could be an option for treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment especially for the cases of highly elevated retina. Trial registration: ChiCTR1800020055. Retrospectively registered on December 12, 2018. Key words: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, scleral buckling, noncontact wide-angle viewing system, endoillumination, intravitreal injection of hyaluronate.