AIM: To investigate the effect and safety of combined surgery with scleral buckling and drainage operation in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

METHODS: Totally 88 patients(88 eyes)with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment accepted in our hospital from January 2009 to January 2013 were selected as study objects. All patients were given scleral operation and divided into two groups according to the operation mode. Patients in group A(44 eyes of 44 cases)were treated with combined surgery with scleral buckling and nondrainage operation, while patients in group B(44 eyes of 44 cases)were given combined surgery with scleral buckling and drainage operation. The retinal reattachment rate, postoperative visual acuity and complications between groups were compared after treatment.

RESULTS:The anatomic reduction rates of eyes in group A and B were respectively 93% and 89%, with no significant differences between groups(P>0.05). There were 37 eyes(84%)improved in eyesight after operation in group A, only 34 eyes(77%)in group B. And visual acuity recovery rate of group A was evidently higher than that of group B, with significant differences between them(P<0.05). Furthermore, the postoperative complication rate of group A was significantly lower than that of group B(11% vs 32%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: It is efficient and secure for combined surgery with scleral buckling and drainage operation to treat patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, which is worthy of clinical application.