AIM: To evaluate advantages of chandelier illumination system during scleral buckling(SB)procedures for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD)surgery.

METHODS: In this comparative, retrospective study, data of 72 eyes of 72 patients undergoing SB for RRD at Minerva Hospital(Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Italy), divided in 2 groups of 36 eyes each were collected. In one group(group A)eyes underwent SB with chandelier, in the other one(group B)eyes underwent SB without using chandelier illumination system. Every eye of both groups was checked before surgery and at 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 90 and 180d follow up. Parameters such as additional procedures, best spectacles visual acuity(BSVA)(measured with Snellen Lines as decimal fraction), surgical time and retinal breaks recurrences had been analyzed before and after surgery and statistical comparison have been run between two groups.

RESULTS: A significant(P<0.01)improvement in BSVA was observed at 6mo follow up in both groups; comparing groups A and B, no significant clinical differences was found in recurrences rate whereas mean surgical time in group A was statistically lower than the group B ones.

CONCLUSION: According to results observed, even if they need to be confirmed in further studies with larger population, chandelier illumination system could be considered a valuable tool for SB surgery in eyes affected by RRD.