Drainage of sub-retinal fluid in retinal detachment surgery

Indirect argon laser drainage of subretinal fluid

We report on a new method of subretinal fluid drainage which uses the indirect ophthalmoscopic delivery of argon laser energy to perforate the choroid. This carries all the theoretical advantages of drainage with the endolaser probe but is simpler and less expensive. We present a prospective series of 31 patients in whom this method was applied. Satisfactory drainage was obtained in 28. There were 4 cases of limited subretinal haemorrhage attributable to the laser, and 1 case of subfoveal haemorrhage. No cases of retinal perforation or incarceration were observed.

Suture needle drainage of subretinal fluid

A simple technique is described for the transcleral drainage of subretinal fluid during retinal detachment repair. In a prospective study of 94 consecutive suture needle drainage procedures subretinal fluid was successfully drained in 91 cases. There were six 'significant' subretinal haemorrhages associated with the procedure, but none was subfoveal in location or directly compromised the surgical outcome. In no case was retinal incarceration or retinotomy observed.