Scleral buckles are like placing rubber bands around the eye, to place the internal structures in contact with the retina to reattach it. The buckles are not actually rubber, but more sponge-like in composition. Pneumatic retinopexy involves injecting gas or other materials into the vitreous. Since the injected material is lighter than vitreous, it floats and pushes the retina from inside-out to reattach itself. This involves good patient cooperation, as a stationery head position needs to be maintained during recovery.
Laser treatment can reattach retina by tacking it down.
The laser actually burns the retina on order to do this. Retinal tears are usually tacked down with a laser if they are deemed high risk by your eye doctor. Cryotherapy involves freezing the retina to tack it down. It leaves a scar that stabilizes tears and holes. If you suspect that you have a retinal detachment, you should seek treatment immediately.