AIM: To observe the effects of scleral buckling surgery for retinal detachment under microscope and under indirect ophthalmoscope.

METHODS: Forty-six patients(46 eyes)with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-six patients received surgeries under microscope was retrospectively analyzed and compared to that of 20 patients who received surgeries under indirect ophthalmoscope by the same operator.

RESULTS: No statistical difference was found in patients' operation method choice, including condensation reaction reattachment situation and the retina reset operation at a time(P>0.05). The best corrected visual acuity of microscopic group after 1mo of operation was better than before operation, and the improving rate of vision after operation was higher than that of the traditional group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:The curative effect of external approach microsurgery has the similar efficacy with the conventional external approach surgery, and gets better visual acuity.