Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9570
+44 1223 790975
ISSN: 2155-9570
+44 1223 790975
Ingrid Kreissig
University of Mannheim, Germany
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Exp Ophthalmol
Introduction: The evolution of the present surgical approaches for reattachment of a primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and the issues which had determined the changes in the various techniques will be analyzed from 1929 to 2014. Materials & Methods: Literature of retinal detachment surgery during the past 85 years is reviewed of which the author could experience the ongoing changes in the treatment modalities during the past 45 years. During this long period of time 6 conceptional progresses had developed in the treatment of a retinal detachment. That had implied a change from surgery of the entire retinal detachment to a surgery limited to the retinal break and a change from extraocular to intraocular surgery for achieving retinal reattachment. Results: All 4 major surgical approaches for repair of a primary retinal detachment, applied in the beginning of the 21st century, have still one common premise for sustained success: To find and close the leaking break which caused the primary retinal detachment and which could cause a redetachment, if not sealed off sufficiently. This is independent whether the surgery is limited to the area of the break or extending over the entire detachment, as well whether it is performed as an extra-ocular or intraocular procedure. Conclusion: To find and close the leaking retinal break in a primary retinal detachment once and for all has accompanied the efforts of the retinal detachment surgeons as a ��?red thread� over the past 85 years and is still the premise for sustained reattachment. However, four postulates will have to be fulfilled today: Retinal reattachment should be achieved already with the 1st operation, the surgery should have a minimum of morbidity, it should not harbor secondary complications jeopardizing regained visual acuity during subsequent years and the surgery should be performed on a small budget and under local anesthesia.