AIM: To observe the clinical effects of minimally invasive scleral buckling combined with 25G cannula intra-optical fiber lighting in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with the help of non-contact wide angle lens.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 43 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment from May 2011 to March 2015 in our hospital. The retinal tear locations of these patients analyzed preoperatively by pre-set lens and three-mirror contact-lens were uncertain. We detected the retinal tears intraoperatively by non-contact wide angle lens with the help of 25G cannula intra-optical fiber lighting. The tears were sealed by minimally invasive scleral buckling. The patients were followed up at 1wk, 1mo, 3mo and 6mo postoperatively. The vison and intraocular pressure were recorded with the same equipment and methods as preoperatively did. The retina reattachment and tear sealing status were also observed.

RESULTS: The retina were reattached by one operation in 41 patients and the reattachment rate was 95.3%. One patient suffered from incomplete retina reattachment, effusion under the retina, poor position of compressed retinal area, and succeeded by minimally invasive scleral buckling once again. One patient developed new retina tear and completely reattached by vitrectomy.

CONCLUSION:For those patients with uncertain retinal detachment preoperatively, minimally invasive scleral buckling combined with 25G cannula intra-optical fiber lighting could increase the success rate. The statistical analysis in large samples and the long-term complications should be further investigated.