Comparison of Scleral Depression in Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Under a Wide-Angle Viewing System

Purpose: This study aimed to compare surgical outcomes of vitrectomy performed using a non-contact wide-angle viewing system for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, with a focus on the presence or absence of scleral depression. Methods: In total, 128 eyes from patients who underwent vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment between March 2019 and January 2023 were included. Surgical outcomes were compared between a group who underwent scleral depression during vitrectomy and a group who did not. Results: The surgical success rate was 88.9% in the scleral depression group and 93.9% in the non-depression group, showing no statistically significant difference (p = 0.323). Similarly, at the final postoperative follow-up, there was no significant difference in best-corrected visual acuity between the groups: 0.409 ± 0.063 logMAR in the scleral depression group and 0.499 ± 0.090 logMAR in the non-depression group (p = 0.787). Univariate analysis identified inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (odds ratio [OR] = 6.125, p = 0.006) and intraocular silicone oil tamponade (OR = 33.333, p = 0.001) as significant factors associated with recurrence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Multivariate analysis confirmed inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (OR = 10.185, p = 0.004) and intraocular silicone oil tamponade (OR = 47.739, p = 0.001) as independent predictors. Conversely, scleral depression was not significantly associated with recurrence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (OR = 0.525, p = 0.324). Conclusions: The use of a wide-angle viewing system during vitrectomy, regardless of whether scleral depression was performed, showed no significant impact on surgical success rates, visual outcomes, or recurrence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.