Hydrogel implant for scleral buckling. Long-term observations.

The authors report long-term follow-up clinical observations of 82 eyes in which episcleral or intrascleral hydrogel implants were used as buckles in the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Three fourths of the eyes were observed for 24 months or more. The implant material provided a durable and effective scleral buckle, did not produce erosion or infection, and was tolerated well by all patients.