Catheter-guided suprachoroidal buckling of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments secondary to peripheral retinal breaks.

PURPOSE: To evaluate functional and anatomic outcomes of eyes undergoing suprachoroidal buckling (SCB) using a specially designed catheter for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) secondary to peripheral retinal breaks.

METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 62 eyes of 62 patients. Subjects underwent SCB for the management of RRD secondary to single or multiple retinal breaks. Suprachoroidal indentation was achieved through the introduction of viscoelastic material in the suprachoroidal space overlying the break using an illuminated, 450 μm-wide, flex-tip catheter. This allowed for the creation of a suprachoroidal dome and chorio-retinal apposition. Forty-seven eyes (80 %) underwent SCB alone, while 15 eyes (20 %) were combined with 25-G pars-plana vitrectomy. Cryopexy and laserpexy were used in 38 (61 %) and 24 of eyes (39 %) respectively.

RESULTS: Mean pre-operative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from logMAR 0.82 (20/132) to 0.22 (20/33) (p < 0.0001). The single surgery reattachment rate was 92 % (57/62.) Final retinal reattachment was achieved in all eyes (100 %). No significant difference was observed in single-surgery anatomic success rates when stratified by lens status, macular involvement, or break location. There were no major intra- or post-operative complications.

CONCLUSION: Suprachoroidal buckling using a special-design, flexible catheter is a safe and effective procedure for the management of RRD secondary to peripheral retinal breaks.