A pilot clinical study of complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treatment via foldable capsular buckle scleral buckling

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the feasibility of and identify problems in treating complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using foldable capsular buckle scleral buckling. METHODS: This prospective clinical study enrolled five patients with complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with foldable capsular buckle scleral buckling at the 988th Hospital of People’s Liberation Army Joint Logistic Force, China. During the 24-week follow-up period, the patients underwent measurements of their best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and visual field testing. Additionally, B-ultrasound and fundus photography of the patients’ retinal reattachments helped evaluate the treatment’s post-surgery efficacy. We determined the safety of foldable capsular buckle scleral buckling based on infection, eye pain, diplopia, elevated intraocular pressure, and other postoperative severe complications. RESULTS: All five patients’ complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were successfully treated and evaluated via B-ultrasound and fundus photography after surgery. Visual acuity was enhanced in four patients 24 weeks after surgery, while the remaining patients developed diplopia after surgery. No other complications were observed. CONCLUSION: This pilot study preliminarily determined that foldable capsular buckle scleral buckling is feasible for efficient and safe treatment of complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. These results support this surgery as a potential and novel alternative to current extraocular procedures for treating complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The prospective observational clinical study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee and registered at the clinical research center in the 988th Hospital of People’s Liberation Army Joint Logistic Force, China (9,882,019,000).