Traction release of subretinal fluid.

The purpose of this investigation was to establish whether the hazards of drainage of subretinal fluid could be reduced. The technique employed utilizes a three-pronged circular grid with a central aperture, 1 mm in diameter. This rigid grid engages the sclera perpendicularly and can be satisfactorily controlled with one hand. Traction with this device elevates the scleral wall to a variable degree depending upon the rigidity of the sclera and the intraocular tension. This scleral elevation allows the point of penetration of the subretinal space to be further removed from the plane of the detached retina than normally would be achieved by conventional techniques. The data presented illustrates the advantages of this approach in terms of reducing the risk of retinal penetration, inadvertent vitreous release, and failure to penetrate the subretinal space in the drainage maneuver. It is suggested that this technique adds an additional safety feature to this problem area of retinal detachment surgery.