AIM: To analyze the clinical characteristics of retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment and to evaluate the surgical techniques, the efficacy and operation time for treatment.

METHODS: We reviewed and analyzed the operative effects of vitreoretinal surgeries in 45 patients(45 eyes)with retinal and choroidal detachment in our hospital from January, 2010 to January, 2012. In these 45 patients, there were 38 patients of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment, 7 patients of retinal redetachment associated with choroidal detachment. The surgical techniques include scleral encircling operation, epichoroidal space drainage by sclerocentesis intraocular photocoagulation, gas-fluid exchange, perfluoropropane(C₃F₈)or silicone oil intraocular tamponade and vitreoretinal surgery.

RESULTS: The drainage of the suprachoroidal space liquid and blood was successful in 45 eyes. Silicone oil tamponade was performed for 39 eyes and C₃F₈ tamponade for 6 eyes. Retinas and choroids were all reattached and retinal holes were closed. Visual acuities were improved, ≥0.1 in 23 eyes.

CONCLUSION: The vitreoretinal surgery and external drainage by sclerocentesis and scleral encircling operation is an effective operating method for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment.