Controlled drainage of subretinal fluid using continuous monitoring with indirect ophthalmoscopy.

External drainage of subretinal fluid during scleral buckling procedures is considered by many ophthalmologists to be a rather dangerous and uncontrolled process owing to the potential for complications such as retinal incarceration, subretinal hemorrhage, and loss of vitreous. Typically, drainage is monitored externally, with only intermittent use of indirect ophthalmoscopy to assess drainage progression and retinal flattening. We present a variant technique that entails continuous, rather than intermittent, monitoring of subretinal fluid drainage via indirect ophthalmoscopy. Using this technique, we report a series with a 2.0% incidence of subretinal hemorrhage and no retinal incarceration or loss of vitreous. Continuous monitoring of drainage with indirect ophthalmoscopy results in a safer and more controlled drainage process by allowing for immediate detection and correction of impending drainage complications.