Clinical research of external route surgery for retinal detachment under operating microscope

Objective To observe the clinical outcomes of microscopic external-route surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Methods Thirty-eight eyes of 38 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were included. The location, size of holes and retinal detached range were examined before surgery. The whole process of external-route surgery was performed under microscope, including scleral buckling, retinal tear localization, cryopexy and subretinal liquid drainage. The postoperative complications, retinal reattachment and visual acuity were observed. Results The rate of retinal reattachment was 94.7% (36/38). The postoperative visual acuity improved in 33 eyes (86.8%), didn't change in 3 eyes, and decreased in 2 eyes; No serious complication was observed in any patient. Conclusion Microscopic external-route surgery has high retinal reattachment rate, better visual acuity and fewer complications for patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Key words: Detachment, retinal; Surgery, external route; Microscopy, operation