This 23YO female underwent successful retinal reattachment surgery with drainage of subretinal fluid and an encircling buckle. The drainage was uncomplicated, but at the completion of surgery, indirect ophthalmoscopy revealed a localized subretinal hemorrhage posterior to the drainage site.
One week later, Optos imaging shows resolving subretinal blood. Cryotherapy scarring of the causative lattice and breaks is noted with a depigmented drainage site. A shallow buckling effect is seen.
Learning Points:
Drainage of subretinal fluid at the time of scleral buckling is usually performed if the break cannot be opposed to the RPE with buckling alone.
Subretinal bleeding sometimes follows puncture of the choroid with either a needle or a laser. This is usually self-limited and resolves postoperatively without treatment.
