To compare the clinical outcomes between scleral buckling and vitrectomy in the primary management of pseudophakic retinal detachment with an intact posterior capsule.

The medical records of 63 eyes that underwent scleral buckling (36 eyes) or vitrectomy (27 eyes)as a primary operation of uncomplicated pseudophakic retinal detachment with intact posterior capsules with a follow-up of more than one year were retrospectively reviewed from 2000 to 2005. We compared the clinical outcomes using anatomical and functional success rates at postoperative one year. Anatomical success was defined by a reattachment rate and functional success was measured by a change of more than 0.3 logMAR.

Anatomical success rates were 86% in the scleral buckling and 82% in the vitrectomy, respectively ( p =0.837). Functional success rates were 81% in the scleral buckling and 70% in the vitrectomy, respectively ( p =0.065). There were no significant differences of anatomical and functional success rates according to each surgical procedure.

Either scleral buckling or vitrectomy may be chosen as a primary operation in the management of pseudophakic retinal detachment with intact posterior capsule.