Factors influencing anatomic and visual results in primary scleral buckling

PURPOSE. TO identify the factors influencing anatomical and visual results in cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment undergoing primary scleral buckling. METHODS. A retrospective study of 233 eyes of 226 patients was done. The data were evaluated by univariate analysis and stepwise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS. Retinal reattachment was achieved with primary scleral buckling in 197 eyes (84.5%). The extent of retinal detachment, preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), preoperative visual acuity and relative afferent pupillary defects were identified as influencing anatomical results, by univariate analysis. The predictive roles of extent of retinal detachment (P<0.0001) and preoperative PVR (P=0.0085) were shown to be significant by step-wise logistic regression. As well as the above factors, the patient's age, the duration of symptoms and the status of the macula were predictors of visual results, by univariate analysis. Stepwise logistic regression analysis confirmed the predictive roles of preoperative visual acuity (P < 0.0001) and the extent of retinal detachment (P=0.0089). CONCLUSIONS. Cases with a larger extent of retinal detachment, more advanced preoperative PVR and poorer preoperative visual acuity have less favorable anatomical and functional results.