During the period January 1985-June 1990, 333 cases of retinal detachment were operated. Thirty cases (9%) were children aged between 5 to 15 years. Retinal detachment was due to developmental abnormalities: myopia, retinoschisis, inherited cataract and glaucoma in 71.4%. Ocular trauma was found in 28.5%. Peripheral vitreoretinal degenerations were found in 82.8%. Reattachment of the retina was achieved in 77.1% of cases. Best visual acuity was 0.4 or better in 40.7% of eyes.