Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment With or Without Scleral Buckle Trial Comparing Gas Tamponades

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare different surgical methods and gas types used to repair primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), a condition where the retina detaches from the back of the eye. The study will evaluate how well each surgery works in preventing the need for additional operations, as well as assess visual function, complications, and quality of life after surgery. It is a single-blind, randomized controlled trial involving about 560 patients with moderately complex RRD. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups in a 2x2 factorial design: pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) alone or PPV combined with scleral buckle (PPV-SB), and sulfur hexafluoride gas (SF6) or perfluoropropane gas (C3F8) used as tamponade. The PPV procedure involves removing the vitreous gel and treating retinal breaks, while the PPV-SB group also receives a scleral buckle to support the retina. At the end of surgery, the eye is filled with one of the two gases to help keep the retina in place. Participants will be followed for one year after surgery with multiple visits to assess anatomical success, measured by the absence of repeat surgery, as well as visual acuity at 8-10 weeks and 6 months, final visual outcomes, time to any retinal detachment recurrence, complications, and quality of life via questionnaires. Imaging will be used throughout to monitor recovery. This study will provide detailed insights into which surgical and gas tamponade techniques lead to better eye outcomes and patient experiences.

REtinal Detachment Outcomes Study