Optimizing Surgical Management for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in Eyes with Active Retinoblastoma: A Safety-Driven Approach

Introduction: Intraocular surgeries are conventionally contraindicated for patients with active retinoblastoma (Rb) due to the potential risk of tumor dissemination. However, surgery is occasionally necessary to preserve vision in patients with a single eye when the eye is complicated by rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Objective: This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of surgical repair for RRD in pediatric patients with active Rb utilizing a non-drainage scleral buckling approach. Results: This cohort included six eyes from six patients who harbored active Rb and presented with RRD; one had a concurrent tractional component. All eyes (100%) had active intraocular Rb and were undergoing active therapy (systemic chemotherapy, cryotherapy, and thermal laser therapy) when RRD developed. RRD consistently manifested at the site of recent cryotherapy in all cases. RRD repair in the affected eyes was performed by scleral buckling without subretinal fluid drainage. Five of the six eyes (83%) achieved complete retinal reattachment. One eye (17%) with a tractional component exhibited partial reattachment and was eventually enucleated due to persistent active disease. At a median follow-up of 15 months (range 12–180 months) after scleral buckling, all five eyes had persistent retinal attachment, and no case developed orbital or distant metastasis. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that nondrainage scleral buckling is an effective and safe method for the surgical repair of RRD in eyes harboring active Rb, as most cases achieved persistent complete retinal reattachment without the risk of tumor spread.