AIM: To evaluate the efficiency of two different operation ways, vitrectomy and vitrectomy combined with inferior scleral buckling, for a complex kind of retinal detachment.

METHODS:The complex kind of retinal detachment were diagnosed in 100 cases(100 eyes), with the common features: 1)the course of more than 1mo; 2)at least one retinal hole located in the inferior marginal retina; 3)the detachment of retina was found proliferated, there was at least 1 retinal fold in retinal detachment area. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group(50 eyes)who received vitrectomy combined with inferior scleral buckling; the control group(50 eyes)who received vitrectomy without scleral buckling. The retinal anatomic reattachment, visual function recovery, macular central fovea thickness and complications in two groups were observed.

RESULTS: There were 49 eyes(98%)with retinal anatomic reattachment in the treatment group while 42 eyes(84%)in control group(χ²=4.2605, P<0.05); the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)was 0.254±0.238 in the treatment group while it was 0.219±0.229 in control group(t=1.8879,P>0.05); the macular central fovea thickness was 272±32.21μm in the treat group while it was 316±33.46μm(t=12.597,P<0.01). Intraocular pressure in 12 eyes(24%)was more than 30mmHg in the treatment group while 4 eyes(8%)in control group within 1wk postoperation(χ²=4.7619,P<0.05); intraocular pressure in 100 eyes were controlled below 21mmHg 1mo postoperatively.

CONCLUSION: It is a more effective method to vitrectomy combined with inferior scleral buckling than the single vitrectomy for the special kind of retinal detachment. It can increase the rate of retinal anatomic reattachment and reduce macular edema.