Analysis of the distribution and location of breaks in patients with peripheral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Objective To analyze the distribution and location of breaks in patients with peripheral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.Methods Seventy-eight cases (78 eyes) with peripheral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment underwent scleral buckling.The location,shape and size of breaks,distance to limbus,relationship with retinal degeneration and oblique muscles were measured and recorded.Results A total of 113 holes were found in 78 eyes and most of them (63.72％) were located in superiotemporal area.They were comprised of 64 tears and 49 holes.There were 34.62％ eyes having more than 1 hole.The distances to limbus ranged from 7.5 mm to 17 mm (average at 12.60 mm),which had significant relationship with ocular axis (F =4.035,P =0.047).The breaks were located at two ends of retinal degeneration area in 32 eyes (41.02％) and 49.56％ breaks were near the ends of oblique muscles.Conclusions The distance to limbus of breaks is longer in patients with longer ocular axis.Most frequent locations are superiortemporal and inferiortemporal.The breaks are frequently at two ends of retinal degeneration area.The results are helpful in patients' examination and breaks' finding and locating. Key words: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment; Location; Break