External argon laser choroidotomy for subretinal fluid drainage.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of external argon laser choroidotomy for drainage of subretinal fluid (SRF) during scleral buckling procedures for the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.

Methods: Fifty eyes of 50 consecutive patients presenting to a hospital-based retinal outpatient clinic with rhegmatogenous detachments underwent choroidotomy with argon endolaser for SRF drainage. The laser parameters used were 0.5s duration and 0.8W power. The primary outcome measures were successful drainage of SRF and incidence of complications. The drainage was considered successful if it was sufficient to complete the planned scleral buckling procedure. The extent of subretinal haemorrhage was graded.

Results: The mean age of patients was 55 years (range 16-80 years). Successful drainage of SRF was obtained in 47 eyes (94%). The complications observed at the drainage site included subretinal haemorrhage of less than 1 disc diameter in six eyes (12%) and retinal perforation in one eye (2%).

Conclusion: External argon laser choroidotomy appears to be an effective method of draining SRF in rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.