Scleral buckle (SB) removal is rarely performed due to extrusion, infection, or diplopia. We report a series of patients with recurrent retinal detachment (RRD) after primary SB due to new breaks ...occurring at sites where the presence of a pre-existing SB was judged counterproductive. All patients were treated by means of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and SB removal with the sole purpose of achieving a more favorable retinal profile.
We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing PPV and SB removal for RRD due to new breaks occurring at sites hidden by pre-existing exoplants.
Mean age was 52 years and VA on presentation was 20/620 and 20/216 at latest visit (p<0.01), 23 months of follow-up. On presentation, 3/11 (27%) had a VA better than 20/400 and 1/11 (9%) better than 20/40. At the end of follow-up, 9/11 (81%) and 3/11 (27%) saw better than 20/400 and 20/40 (p<0.05). At the end of follow-up, 8/11 (72%) had an attached retina, 2/11 (18%) had a partially attached retina, and 1/11 (9%) had a total RD. Explanted buckles included 5 silicone sponges and 6 solid silicone rubber elements.
Although occasionally cumbersome and time-consuming, SB removal may provide a more favorable retinal profile and improve retina-tamponade contact. Larger series are needed to assess if this translates into a significant benefit in the treatment of selected RRD.
In March 1999, a 35-year-old woman had uneventful laser in situ keratomileusis in both eyes on the same day. Five days postoperatively, slitlamp biomicroscopy of the left eye showed an appearance ...similar to haze after photorefractive keratectomy, with greater density at the center and striae convergent toward the infiltrate (stage 4 diffuse lamellar keratitis DLK). The patient received treatment with dexamethasone 0.2% eyedrops every 2 hours. After 2 weeks, visual acuity was better and improvement was evident on topography, pachymetry, and slitlamp photography. The improvements were more marked at 6 months and 1 year. There was a progressive increment in corneal thickness and consequent improvement in corneal transparency, curvature, and regularity. This case, in which continuous morphologic adaptation of the cornea occurred, indicates that observation, rather than intervention, is a valid therapeutic option for stage 4 DLK.
