Outcome of scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
The goal was to review the visual and anatomical outcome of scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at a tertiary eye care center in Nigeria between January 1994 and December 2000.


METHODS
This was a retrospective, descriptive case series of all eyes that had undergone scleral buckling over a 7-year study period. Data collected from the case notes included duration of symptoms, visual acuity at presentation and 3 and 6 months post-op, clinical presentation of the detachments, risk factors for retinal detachment, the surgical procedure done, anatomical outcome at discharge and at 3 and 6 months post-op, and intra-op and post-op complications.


RESULTS
Ninety-eight eyes of 98 patients underwent scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment during the study period. The mean age was 42 years. The male-to-female ratio was 3.7:1. The mean duration of symptoms was 29.7 weeks. Seventy-six eyes (77.6%) had subtotal to total retinal detachment, with 91 (92.9%) eyes having macular detachment. The surgical technique was cryotherapy, sub-retinal fluid drainage, and explant. At 3 months post-op, 40/54 (74.1%) eyes had successful anatomical outcome. Only 52% (21/40) of these eyes had the best corrected visual acuity of 6/60 or better at 3 months post-op.


CONCLUSIONS
In Nigeria, and possibly many developing countries, efforts should be made towards early diagnosis and treatment of retinal detachments with adequate expertise and facilities.
Alhassan
Mahmoud Babanini
MB
Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, National Eye Center, Kaduna, Nigeria. mbalhassan@yahoo.com
Rabiu
Mansur Mohammed
MM
Olongusua
Yinka
Y
Ahmed
Abubakar
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012591:Scleral Buckling; D016896:Treatment Outcome