Comparison of Results after Conventional Retinal Detachment Surgery with Sub-Retinal Fluid Drainage versus Non-Drainage

Abstract

Objective: To compare the anatomical as well as visual outcome after conventional retinal detachment surgery with sub-retinal fluid drainage versus non- drainage. Study Design: Non-randomized interventional (quasi experimental) study. Material and Methods: This study was conducted at Institute of Ophthalmology, Mayo Hospital Lahore from February 2011 to July 2012. Total 52 eyes of 52 patients between 20-60 years of age, with uncomplicated primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were selected after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. After informed consent, all patients were randomized into two equal groups. All patients underwent scleral buckling surgery with external drainage (Group-I) or without external drainage (Group-II) of sub-retinal fluid, and followed for complete clinical examination including visual acuity, fundoscopy and postoperative complications at 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 6^th month postoperatively to detect the difference in outcome after drainage and non-drainage techniques. Re-attachment of retina at any follow-up visit was considered anatomic success. Results: Out of total 52, data was calculated of 50 patients because one in each group quit follow-up. Primary anatomical re-attachment rate was 76% in group-I and 64% in group-II after 1 month (p=0.19) while this figure was 88% and 84% after 6 month (p=0.56). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved almost equally in both groups from median of 6/36 to 6/24, 6/12 and 6/9 after 1, 2 and 6 months. Complications such as globe perforation, scleral dehiscence, mild sub-retinal hemorrhages, vitreous incarceration and vitreous hemorrhage were also observed and managed. Conclusions: We did not find any significant difference in anatomical outcome between drainage and non-drainage techniques of scleral buckling surgery in uncomplicated primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Visual acuity (VA) was almost same in both groups as well, although it was dependent upon other factors. Key Words: Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment, Scleral Buckling, Sub-retinal fluid