Clinical observation of combined scleral buckling surgery and phacoemulsification for rhegmentogenous retinal detachment and cataract

Abstract

Objective To report the technique and results of simultaneous scleral buckling surgery and phacoemulsification for rhegmentogenous retinal detachment and cataract.Methods Twenty-nine patients (29 eyes) with rhegmentogenous retinal detachment accompanied with dense cataract were retrospectively investigated.All the eyes underwent a combined surgery involving scleral buckling and phacoemulsification [25 eyes also combined with posterior chamber intraocular lense (IOL) implantation].Among those,8 eyes combined with intravitreal injection of C2F6,1 eye with filtered air.Postoperative follow up was 3 ～24 months.The visual acuity,IOL position,retinal reattachment status and complications of the surgery were observed.Results A clear intraoperative view of the fundus was obtained in all cases and retinal breaks were identified.The best corrected visual acuity improved in 22 eyes (75.86％ ) in the last follow up,among which 16 eyes (55.17％) improved 2 or more lines,remained unchanged in 7 (24.14％) eyes.The retinae were reattached by combined surgery in 28 cases (96.55％) during the last follow up,partially reattached in 1 eye (3.45％).There was no IOL dislocation or severe complications.Conclusion Combined scleral buckling and cataract surgery spare the patient from repeat surgery and may improve the visual function by avoiding delay for detachment repair. Key words: Scleral buckling; Phacoemulsification; Retinal detachment; Cataract