Retinal surgery commences with careful ophthalmoscopy. The surgeon must be familiar with indirect monocular and binocular ophthalmoscopy, but biomicroscopy is most essential. Buckling procedures can be produced by different techniques and should be adapted to the case. Drainage of subretinal fluid is crucial. One should avoid it if possible, but if it has to be done, care has to be taken to avoid complications. The sealing of retinal holes and tears can be performed by diathermy, cryo- and light coagulation. Each technique has its indication and should be available at the time of surgery. Vitreous surgery is still in the experimental stage, but seems to be very promising, although its main use will most probably lie outside the field of retinal detachment.