Metal retinal tacks were used in 18 patients with complicated retinal detachments, such as giant tears (3 cases), severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (7 eyes) and diabetic traction and rhegmatogenous detachment (8 cases). All eyes had undergone vitreous microsurgery, including excision or segmentation of epiretinal membranes, fluid-air (SF6) or silicone oil exchange. Retinal breaks and the cut edges of retinotomies and retinectomies were successfully sealed by metal tacks. Retinal re-attachment was achieved in 9 cases and partial re-attachment in another 5 eyes (follow-up 3-6 months). Retinal tears in diabetic macular detachment associated with extensive epiretinal fibrovascular membranes were also successfully sealed despite persisting traction. Our first experience indicates that the closing of retinal breaks with metal tacks is a major step forward in retinal re-attachment surgery.