Background: To describe the indications for removal of Miragel episcleral buckles and to compare them with removed silicone sponges and solid silicone indentations.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of the charts of patients successfully treated for retinal detachment in whom the episcleral buckle was removed after surgery, with a minimal follow-up of 6 months.
Results: In a series of 90 eyes of 90 patients, including 38 cases of Miragel elements, 25 cases of solid silicone, and 27 cases of silicone sponge removal, the duration of indentation before removal was significantly longer with Miragel (91.9 months) than with solid silicone (10.6 months) and silicone sponges (18.6 months). In eyes treated with Miragel elements, swelling of the material with progressive limitation of ocular motility and protrusion of the buckle beneath the eyelids indicated its removal in 34 (89.5%) eyes. Infection of the buckle and erosion of the conjunctiva with an exposed indentation were significantly more common with silicone buckles. Overall, scleral perforation occurred in four (4.4%) eyes, and retinal redetachment occurred in eight (8.8%) eyes.
Conclusion: Late swelling of Miragel buckling elements represents a common indication for buckle removal, significantly different from silicone indentations.