Partial Resolution of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Following Development of Choroidal Detachment

PURPOSE: To report the case of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) which underwent transient, partial resolution from a buckling effect of a concurrent serous choroidal detachment (CD). METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 59-year-old male presented with a superior, bullous RRD. He later developed significant CD and hypotony, with the CD appearing to buckle the superior retinal break resulting in resolution of the subretinal fluid (SRF) superiorly. Following initial laser retinopexy, improvement of the CD made the SRF more apparent, and anticipating a loss of its buckling effect, pneumatic retinopexy (PR) was performed with 0.3cc C3F8 gas and an anterior chamber tap, after which additional laser was applied. Following the placement of the tamponade, complete retinal reattachment was achieved, and the retina remained stably attached, achieving a final best-corrected visual acuity of 20/80. CONCLUSIONS: The endogenous buckling effect exerted by the CD represents a new mechanism by which spontaneous improvement or even resolution of an RRD may potentially occur.