External Drainage of an Exudative Retinal Detachment

Drs. Allen Chiang and Daniel Su demonstrate the repair of an exudative retinal detachment in a young phakic patient. This particular detachment is secondary to a known yet uncommon entity: Coats-like exudative retinopathy in the setting of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) with CRB1 mutation. However, this technique is applicable to exudative detachments from other etiologies. Using a 25-gauge chandelier and standard wide-angle viewing system, a Hanscom guarded needle is inserted into the subretinal space under direct visualization. Drainage is performed using the foot pedal to modulate a slow and steady extrusion. Cryotherapy was used to complete the surgery.

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