The results of the present study suggest that a single intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone is reasonably well tolerated by the human eye. The rate of development of severe visual loss was less than reported for historical controls. Because the results are preliminary and uncontrolled, the treatment should not be used routinely until its benefit to patients is established by a prospective, randomized controlled study.

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

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 0.5 s duration and 0.8 W 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 I 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.

We prospectively studied the efficacy of peribulbar anesthesia in 76 consecutive patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery. The mean duration of anesthesia was 124.74 ± 50.17 minutes, and the mean duration of akinesia, 151.5 ± 54.45 minutes. Adequate anesthesia and akinesia, independent of the duration of surgery, was obtained in 26 of 33 (78.8%) patients who underwent vitrectomy; 9 of 32 (28.1%) who underwent scleral buckling; and 2 of 11 (18.2%) who underwent vitrectomy combined with scleral buckling. In all, topical and systemic supplementation of drugs for inadequate anesthesia or akinesia allowed 32 of the 33 (97%) vitrectomies, 30 of the 32 (94%) scleral buckling procedures, and all 11 of the combined surgeries to be completed as planned. Three (4%) patients vomited, moved, or were restless, resulting in an operative complication or postponement of surgery. Fifty-eight (76%) said they would desire similar anesthesia if subsequent surgery was needed in the same or fellow eye. We conclude that peribulbar anesthesia should be considered primarily for patients requiring vitreous surgery alone, and as an alternative for patients requiring scleral buckling or combined surgery for whom general anesthesia is contraindicated.