To compare the efficacies between scleral buckling combined with intraoperative cryotherapy and postoperative photocoagulation in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

This was a prospective randomized study. The clicinal data of 58 eyes of 58 patients with RRD who underwent scleral buckling from Jan. 2018 to Jul. 2021 in Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University. The patients were divided into two groups based on the random number table methods. The cryotherapy group with 29 patients accepted intraoperative cryotherapy, while the photocoagulation group with 29 patients received retinal photocoagulation after surgery. All patients were followed up for 3 months after operation. The operation time, postoperative pain grade, eyelid edema degree, retinal reattachment rate, visual acuity and complications were compared between the two groups.

The operation time of the photocoagulation group was shorter than that of the cryotherapy group(t=-2.74, P=0.008), while the postoperative pain grade and eyelid edema degree significantly reduced compared with that of the cryotherapy group(χ²=7.13, 8.03; P=0.028, 0.018). The postoperative BCVA gradually increased in both groups(F_{time point}=23.99, P_{time point}<0.001), but there was no significant difference in the BCVA between the two groups(F=0.51, P=0.476). At 1 week postoperatively, the BCVA of the laser photocoagulation group improved faster than that of cryotherapy group. There was no significant difference in retinal reattachment rate and complication rate between the two groups(χ²=0.35, 1.07; P=0.553, 0.300).

Scleral buckling combined with intraoperative cryotherapy or postoperative laser photocoagulation have similar efficacy and safety, but postoperative laser photocoagulation shortens operation time, simplifies steps, reduces postoperative pain and eyelid edema, and achieves better visual acuity postoperatively in early stage.

Retinal detachment; Scleral buckling; Retinal perforations; Cryotherapy; Laser coagulation