To compare the outcomes of scleral buckling (SB) and primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for treatment of simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD).

One hundred and fifteen Eyes undergoing SB or PPV for the treatment of simple rhegmatogenous RD were prospectively identified and followed up at least six months. Anatomic results, functional outcomes and complications were compared between eyes treated with SB and eyes treated with PPV.

We detected no significant differences in overall success rates or final vision quality between the two treatment groups. However, the final vision quality of pseudophakic patients treated with PPV was significantly better than the final vision quality of pseudophakic patients treated with SB. Two treatment goups experienced similar rates of intraocular pressure elevation and proliferative vitreoretinopathy development. In phakic patients, the rates of cataract progression were higher in patients treated with PPV than in patients treated with SB.

PPV can be an effective method for the treatment of simple rhegmatogenous RD, and maybe considered as a viable alternative to SB for simple cases. However, in phakic patients treated with PPV, simultaneous or follow-up cataract surgery should be considered as adjuvant treatments.