AIM: To study the therapeutic effect of external-route microsurgery forrhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

METHODS: In 55 patients(55 eyes)with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, drainage of subretinal fluid, examination of locating the holes, sclera cryotherapy, scleral buckling, and vitreous cavity injection of filtrated air were performed under surgical microscope.

RESULTS: The retinal reattachment occurred in 50 cases after the primary surgery. The final rate of reattachment was 91% during 6-12mo follow-up. The retinal reattachment occurred in 1 case(recurrent retinal detachment)after the secondary surgery and in 4 cases(recurrent retinal detachment)after vitrectomy. The eyesight was improved with different degrees in 55 cases.

CONCLUSION: The external-route microsurgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is simple, safe and effective.