[Clinical effects of gas tamponade followed by scleral cryotherapy on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal injection of sterile air followed by scleral cryotherapy on simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: Retrospective study. Thirty-five cases (thirty-five eyes) with RRD were collected from Oct 2013 to Mar 2014. Among them, macular detachment was observed in 31cases, all accompanied with obvious synchesis. All retinal breaks were horseshoe shaped and holes located above 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock position, with size ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 PD. Subretinal fluid was drained by scleral puncture, after that 0.5-2.0 ml sterile air was injected into the vitreous cavity. Cryotherapy was done under binocular indirect ophthalmoscope followed by scleral buckling. RESULTS: Retina reattachment was seen in 32 cases at the first day after operation. A small amount of subretinal fluid was found in 2 cases, which absorbed completely in one week after the surgery. Vitrectomy was done in 1 case because of aggravation of vitreous opacity and failure of retinal reattachment. The success rate of single operation and final operation was 97.1% and 100.0%, respectively. Visual improvement was observed in 33 cases. Ocular hypertension was seen in 6 cases and was controlled by topical antiglaucomatous eyedrops. No recurrence of RRD was found in all cases during the 5-10 months follow-up visit. CONCLUSION: Gas tamponade followed by scleral cryotherapy can improve the success rate of operation for simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with obvious synchesis and retinal holes located at the upper quadrant.