A Case of Lens and Posterior Capsule Injury in Chandelier-Assisted Scleral Buckling for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Abstract

Introduction: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) presents as a common ophthalmological emergency that impacts vision and may lead to blindness in the involved eye. Recently, chandelier-assisted scleral buckling (SB) is considered as one of procedures for the management of RRD. Herein, we present a case of acute cataract progression caused by a chandelier light during chandelier-assisted SB for RRD. Case Presentation: A 69-year-old male patient presented with right eye RRD. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was reduced to 20/40 in the right eye, and a retinal tear was observed at the upper temporal side with macula-off retinal detachment. The retinal tear was on the periphery, and the crystalline lens opacity was mild; therefore, the patient was treated with SB with a chandelier. Intraoperatively, posterior lens opacity was gradually observed, but it did not affect surgery. Thus, the surgery was completed as planned and retinal reattachment was confirmed. The day after surgery, the cataract had progressed, with a significantly decreased right BCVA of 20/400 in the right eye; therefore, cataract surgery was performed 2 months after the initial surgery. Because the posterior capsule had already ruptured, we performed lens extraction and anterior vitrectomy and fixed the intraocular lens with an optic capture. Postoperatively, the patient’s BCVA had recovered to 20/40 in the right eye. Conclusion: SB with a chandelier is an effective treatment for visibility and educational purposes; however, several points of caution are raised. Proper care should be taken while handling the illumination in the SB.

Keywords

• scleral buckling
• rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
• chandelier-assisted scleral buckling
• cataract progression
• heads-up surgery