The Manchester buckle study: 15-year outcomes and predictive factors for success in scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

AIMS: To assess the long-term anatomical and visual outcomes of primary scleral buckle (SB) surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and identify predictors of surgical and functional success. METHODS: All primary SB procedures performed at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital between January 2008 and December 2023 were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data were extracted from electronic records. Primary end-points were single-surgery anatomical success (SSAS) and final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); univariate and multivariate regression analyses examined predictive variables and complications. RESULTS: 608 eyes were included. SSAS was achieved in 515 eyes (85%) and final anatomical success in 602 eyes (99%). Mean BCVA improved from 0.62±0.85 to 0.32±0.49 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (p40 years (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.83; p=0.004), macula-off status (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.97; p=0.034) and ocular trauma (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.82; p=0.012) independently reduced SSAS. For visual outcomes, macula-off detachment (β=+0.36; p