AIM: To evaluated the anatomic and functional outcomes of scleral buckling(SB)in a group of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD)in this retrospective study.

METHODS: A total of 215 patients(215 eyes)with RRD underwent SB surgery from May 2008 to May 2014 by a single surgeon. All the patients were identified as fulfilling the criteria of presenting with a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and the levels of proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR)were less than B. Localization and cryotherapy of retinal breaks in all eyes were performed with binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy during the operations. The main outcome measure was the primary reattachment rate at 2mo after single surgery. Patients were followed up for 2mo at least to observe the anatomic outcomes, postoperative vision and complications.

RESULTS: Subretinal fluid(SRF)drainage was performed in 107 eyes(49.8%), intravitreal injection of sterile air was fulfilled in 82 eyes(38.1%). The anatomical success rate after single SB surgery at 2mo was 91.2%(196/215), single SB surgery failed to retinal reattachment in 19 cases(8.8%). Compared with pre-operation, visual acuity increased in 192 cases(89.3%), unchanged in 14 cases(6.5%), decreased in 9 cases(4.2%). No complications related to SRF drainage and intravitreal injection of sterile air occurred. Only 11 patients experienced SB surgery- related complications.

CONCLUSION: SB surgery for RRD is safe and effective. Accurate localization of retinal breaks and the relationship between the retinal breaks and the pad edge are the most important factors for successful operation.