Intravitreal injection of 0.3 ml of SF6 gas for persistent subfoveal fluid after scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of intravitreal injection of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas for reducing persistent subfoveal fluid after scleral buckling surgery for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.

METHODS: We injected 0.3 ml of SF6 gas into the vitreous cavity of two eyes of two patients with persistent macular retinal detachment 3 and 5 months after successful scleral buckling. Optical coherence tomography was performed before and after surgery.

RESULTS: Subfoveal fluid was displaced peripheral to the fovea immediately after gas injection and the fluid was absorbed gradually in both eyes.

CONCLUSIONS: Persistent subfoveal fluid after scleral buckling may be treated with intravitreal SF6 gas injection.